The cruise ship Genting Dream took centre stage in Phuket (Thailand) on July 9 as Thai maritime authorities conducted a full-scale emergency response exercise—Passenger Ship Exercise 2025—at the Deep Sea Port. Hosted by the Thai-MECC Region 3 and supported by agencies including the Royal Thai Navy, Marine Department, local health services, and private emergency teams, the large-scale drill sought to test Thailand’s readiness for maritime disasters under SOLAS-aligned procedures.
Shipboard simulations encompassed critical scenarios: lifeboat evacuation exercises, man-overboard rescues after missed evacuation, and an onboard fire response. In the latter, firefighting teams from the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation and the Navy vessel HTMS Panyi actively engaged with ship’s crew to suppress the blaze.
The exercise was officially opened by the Director-General of Thai-MECC, Admiral Phairoj Fuangchanchai, with Rear Admiral Benjamaporn Wongnakornsawang overseeing operational proceedings aboard the vessel.
Observers included Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul, underscoring high-level commitment to readiness and maritime safety.
In addition to operational drills, a tabletop exercise took place ashore at Royal Phuket City Hotel, designed to evaluate communication, coordination, resource deployment, and command protocols for crisis response.
Equipment checks and personnel readiness formed part of the preparatory phase before extending the exercise to real-world conditions aboard the Genting Dream at sea.
This exercise reaffirms Thailand’s ambition to enhance port and ship-based safety frameworks, affirming Phuket as a leading venue for maritime disaster preparedness in the region. By integrating vessel-based simulations with institutional training, the Passenger Ship Exercise 2025 reflects Thailand’s growing commitment to ensuring the safety of life at sea.