Tourist’s mermaid pose incites wrath over coral damage

[snoop1130]

Tourist’s mermaid pose incites wrath over coral damage

By SOMCHAI SAMART, 
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION

 

 

THREE THAI tourists have been fined Bt1,500 each for sitting on a mountain coral at Mu Koh Surin National Park in Phang Nga.

 

After pictures of two women posing picturesquely while sitting on a large mountain coral – apparently in Ao Mae Yai Bay in the Surin Islands – went viral on social media, Mu Koh Surin National Park chief Phuttipot Kuprasit said on Thuesday the Thai tourist and two others had already been detained and fined for violating park rules.

 

Phuttipot said officers found the group shortly after they were informed of the wrongdoing. All three were Thai tourists who were fined Bt1,500 per person, he added.

 

“The tourists said they misunderstood. They believed that the coral was a normal rock, but we clarified that it was actually mountain coral, so they apologised and admitted to their offence,” he said.

 

“We have no tolerance for people stepping on or touching the coral and feeding the fish, as it is against the park’s rules, and we have strict measures and officers to monitor tourist activities. However, we cannot observe all the tourists’ activities, especially when they are under water, so I would like to thank all good citizens who help us watch over our natural treasures.”

 

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a leading marine biologist of Kasetsart University, said Ao Mae Yai Bay formerly had one of the largest coral reefs in Thailand, but due to severe damage from several incidents of coral bleaching, the area off Mu Koh Surin National Park had been closed to the public since 1995 to let the coral reef rehabilitate itself.

 

He added that tourism activities and touching the coral disrupted the reef’s recovery, because such activities could affect the growth of new young coral and endanger the entire reef.

 

“I believe that there are many beautiful locations in this national park where tourists can pose and take pictures without harming the underwater ecosystem,” he said.

 

Phuttipot said the area where the tourists had taken photos was not inside the restricted area of Ao Mae Yai Bay, but in an area designated for diving. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30338348

[Topdoc]

Meanwhile for Russian tourist Liliya Karmanova who collected a few pieces of coral, presumably from the beach, there's an arrest warrant, a courtcase and Bt 40,000 bail. 

[smedly]

I think the world could take a lesson from Thailands efforts on the environment 

 

lets list them here

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

please fill in the blanks 

 

and if you live in Bangkok don't breath the air

and if you live near a beach don't swim in the water

and lets not mention the plastics that Thailand dumps into the sea every time it rains

oh and don't smoke on a beach because you will go to jail 

 

Thailand leading the way ........................... the hub of dirt and garbage land

 

stupid is what.....................................making yourself out to be something you are very clearly not

 

who died today on the world hub of deadliest roads in the world

 

This country really needs to wake up

 

If you don't have the answers (which you clearly don't) then seek assistance from outside Thailand

 

Damaged Coral .......................... well admirable but that is well and truly down the list of things that need attention in this country

[mentalcolonization]

12 hours ago, Topdoc said:

Meanwhile for Russian tourist Liliya Karmanova who collected a few pieces of coral, presumably from the beach, there's an arrest warrant, a courtcase and Bt 40,000 bail. 

Moreover, dead ones

[mark01]

The Thai social media moral police at it again, (while dumping their garbage at the side of the road!)

[Emster23]

I think it was on Australia network saw recent report about 1/3 of world's coral reefs endangered due to being smothered in plastic waste. As we know, Thailand is major culprit in this area

[hansnl]

3 hours ago, smedly said:

I think the world could take a lesson from Thailands efforts on the environment 

 

lets list them here

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

please fill in the blanks 

 

and if you live in Bangkok don't breath the air

and if you live near a beach don't swim in the water

and lets not mention the plastics that Thailand dumps into the sea every time it rains

oh and don't smoke on a beach because you will go to jail 

 

Thailand leading the way ........................... the hub of dirt and garbage land

 

stupid is what.....................................making yourself out to be something you are very clearly not

 

who died today on the world hub of deadliest roads in the world

 

This country really needs to wake up

 

If you don't have the answers (which you clearly don't) then seek assistance from outside Thailand

 

Damaged Coral .......................... well admirable but that is well and truly down the list of things that need attention in this country

Seek answers outside Thailand?

Outside Thailand?

[Darcula]

I'm not convinced about the "memaid" part. Is it possible to see some close-up pics please?

[geriatrickid]

13 hours ago, Topdoc said:

Meanwhile for Russian tourist Liliya Karmanova who collected a few pieces of coral, presumably from the beach, there's an arrest warrant, a courtcase and Bt 40,000 bail. 

Big difference. One involved touching without direct damage.  The other involved removing the coral from a protected zone. Your logic would hold that  if one sits on your vehicle, it is as serious as someone who pulls off your car door and takes it away. 

[geriatrickid]

1 hour ago, mentalcolonization said:

Moreover, dead ones

And you know how they died? Coral in that quantity does not just wash up on  a beach. It was harvested. Perhaps some was dead,. However, with the large quantity seized it is more than likely that the Russian or an accomplice physically removed it from a reef.

[farcanell]

I’d happily pay their bar fine for them..... 

[Just Weird]

19 hours ago, Topdoc said:

Meanwhile for Russian tourist Liliya Karmanova who collected a few pieces of coral, presumably from the beach, there's an arrest warrant, a courtcase and Bt 40,000 bail. 

The Thais were obviously arrested also but they admitted their offence and paid a fine.  If they had denied it they'd be due in court also and out on bail.

[Thechook]

It's dead, already destroyed by thai greed

[Stokakrishna]

Wow!!! Thais can dive?? Impressive

[observer90210]

Seems that thai society is becoming like a pile of firecrackers...explodes with the slightest spark.