Police search for foreign owner of sailboat over damaged coral reefs
Krabi provincial agencies are searching for the owner of a sailboat accused of damaging coral reefs in the national park around Phi Phi Island, after a Facebook post making the allegation went viral.
The search began on Tuesday, after a photo of the sailboat “4139T Catspaw” was posted on Facebook along with the claim it had damaged coral reefs in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
The sailboat was photographed moored off Yawasam Island. The post was made on MonsoonGarbageThailand – a popular Facebook page for information about Phuket and vicinity. It immediately went viral.
People who reposted the photo urged government agencies to investigate the allegations and take legal action against the sailboat owner.
National park chief Teekawut Sriburin said on Wednesday that the agency was cooperating with the Marine Office in Krabi to investigate the sailboat, which is owned by a foreign tourist.
He said the national park had deployed divers to check for damage to coral reefs, adding that it has submitted evidence and filed charges against the sailboat owner at Aonang Police Station.
"The sailboat owner will face a 5,000 baht fine for breaking through the buoy line," Teekawut said, adding that the charge was for a violation of the National Park Act.
Park officials have been instructed to increase patrols to prevent visitors from violating national park laws, he said.
"Tour operators have also been instructed to strictly comply with national park laws to prevent damage to natural resources," Teekawut added..
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