Tourist arrested for feeding fish on Koh Kai
Chinese tourist Hongzhi Zhou, 45, was arrested Thursday for feeding fish at Koh Kai.
This is the first time a tourist has been detained after emergency powers were granted to law enforcement officials by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Region 6 on Tuesday to protect marine life.
The measures, referred to as Article 17, grant additional powers to law enforcement officials, including the ability to arrest anybody thought to be interfering with marine life.
Zhou was released on Bt100,000 bail, which was paid by his tour guide. Zhou needs to remain in the country until his case is processed in court.
“We caught Zhou feeding fish on May 25 at about 3.30pm on Koh Kai Bok,” DMCR spokesperson Suchat Rattanaruengsri said.
He added that this arrest should serve as a warning of new law enforcement procedures aimed at tackling the degradation of marine life around Koh Kai, Kai Nok and Kai Noi islands, all of which fall under the purview of the DMCR.
“I believe that if we continue this level of enforcement, tourists and tour operators will be deterred from interfering with marine life,” Suchat said.
