As much to blame as the tourist if ignorance is to play a part..
He booked a fishing trip possibly a hobby of his back home, thinking it would be a nice trip out..
Possibly oblivious that he couldn't do it in the land of smiles [like a million other things]
yet the Captain took his money, hunt him down, fine him thousands of baht, tar and feather him, deport him and learn him good.
Let the boat operator off with a 500 baht fine?