Tourism: Photo of boat moored to coral causes uproar in Thailand

A photo showing a boat moored on a coral reef in Trang, southern Thailand, has caused shock on social media.

The Facebook page Monsoon Garbage Thailand recently posted a photo and video clip showing a rope moored to a coral reef off the island of Koh Kradan, a popular diving spot.

The page, which is that of a marine environmental monitoring organization, wrote in the description:

"The mooring buoy is available, but they just moored the boat on the coral reefs."

The incident sparked an outcry, and the page called on the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants (DNP) to intervene, talk to local tourist boat operators, and find a long-term solution.

Heavy prosecutions brought against the boat owners

A couple strolls on a beach on Koh Kradan Island in Thailand. Photo: Fokke Baarssen

Park officials subsequently identified and initiated legal action against the boat's owners.

Department head Attapon Charoenchansa said on Sunday, February 18, that an investigation revealed the incident took place at sea off Koh Kradan Island in Sikao district, Trang province.

The island became very popular after one of its beaches was voted the best beach in the world by a British website.

See: A beach on Koh Kradan Island in Thailand, voted the best beach in the world

The area is part of Hat Chao Mai National Park and falls under the jurisdiction of Koh Kradan National Park Protection Unit 3.

The boat was identified as belonging to the Libong Travel agency.

“Officials have gathered all the evidence and Hat Chao Mai National Park will take strict legal action against the offender in accordance with the National Parks Act 2019.

In addition to a fine, they could be banned from entering the area."

Under the 2019 National Parks Act, violators face a fine of up to 500,000 baht (12,879 euros) or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, for degrading natural resources and harming the ecosystem and biodiversity.

Mr. Attapon said following the incident, park officials would hold a meeting with the owners of all tourist boats operating in Hat Chao Mai National Park to prevent any actions deemed detrimental to the environment.

Thai authorities take the preservation of Thailand's ecosystem very seriously, and the island is closed every year for four months, between June and October, during the rainy season, to allow nature to recover.

See: Thailand closes Koh Kradan island to tourism during rainy season

Officials do not want to repeat the mistake made at Maya Bay, which had to be closed for more than three years after the area's coral reefs and environment were severely damaged by excessive tourism.

See: Thailand wants to save Maya Bay from mass tourism

See also:

Thailand's national parks will be closed annually to help the environment

Mass tourism threatens Thailand's island with the world's best beach

Discovering Thailand's most peaceful islands

Source: Bangkok Post