A video of the incident went viral on social media yesterday (Sept 9), showing the vehicle slowly sinking into the water.
The car, carrying a foreign driver and one passenger, was attempting to cross floodwater in heavy rain when it bypassed traffic cones and entered the hardstand area, normally reserved for boats being hauled out for maintenance.
Unaware that he had driven onto a yacht slipway, the driver continued forward and plunged into the water. Both the driver and passenger managed to escape with their belongings before the car sank. Staff later used a crane to recover the severely damaged vehicle.
While many social media users criticised the driver for ignoring warning signs, others noted that a rising tide can make the ramp difficult to distinguish from a flooded road.
Phuket Marine Office Chief Natchapong Pranit told The Phuket News that Phuket Boat Lagoon is private property, meaning his office had no legal authority to take action.
Phuket Boat Lagoon management had explained that a female tourist in the back seat had urged the driver to continue through the floodwater, leading him directly onto the ramp, Mr Natchapong said.
Despite clear signage, the driver followed the instructions and drove into the marina, he added.
Phuket Boat Lagoon confirmed that it had the right to sue the driver and his passenger for breaching safety warnings but instead resolved the matter peacefully, Mr Natchapong continued.
The driver has accepted responsibility and agreed to cover the damages, he noted.
In response to the incident, Boat Lagoon has pledged to enhance safety by installing a barrier to prevent vehicles from mistakenly entering the slipway again, Mr Natchapong confirmed.
When contacted by The Phuket News, Phuket Boat Lagoon declined to comment further, noting that they had already received many inquiries about the case.