'Pilgrim boat' sinks in Thailand, leaving several dead

Image source, Bangkok Post

Image caption, More than 100 people were on board at the time of the accident

A boat has sunk after hitting a concrete pillar in the central Thai city of Ayutthaya, killing at least 13 people including a child, media say.

The two-deck boat was travelling the Chao Phraya river at 16:00 local time (09:00 GMT) when the crash happened.

It is said to have been carrying more than 100 people, many of them Muslim pilgrims.

The accident occurred near the Wat Sanam Chai temple, a popular tourist destination.

More than 30 people were injured and dozens are still missing.

Passengers were travelling from Ayutthaya back to Nonthaburi, a suburb of the capital Bangkok, after attending an Islamic religious rite in the city, .

Correspondents say road and boat accidents are common in Thailand where safety standards can be well below international levels.

The Chao Phraya is a busy commuter waterway, often packed with crowded boats.