Clash Erupts Over Fishing at Sacred Thai Sanctuary

[snoop1130]

 

A major dispute has erupted at Wat Yan Sangwararam in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, leading to a dramatic intervention by the Royal Thai Navy. On 27th September, a group of fishermen, defying the sacred status of the area, set up their rods within the temple grounds. The fishermen, notably teenagers, faced immediate action as navy officers confiscated their equipment.

 

In an unexpected turn, the teenagers resisted, raising suspicions about potential backing from influential figures. This incident has drawn widespread attention, with many questioning the true origin of this unsanctioned fishing activity.

 

Further complicating the situation, authorities discovered a middleman buying large quantities of fish from the sanctuary. This raises further questions about the scale of illegal fishing operations. Phra Khru Wimon Phawanathorn Wi Chantha Santipanno, the assistant abbot, addressed the issue yesterday, underscoring that the reservoir is part of a royal initiative by King Rama IX aimed at agricultural development, prohibiting fishing activities to safeguard the sanctuary.

 

 

 

 

The abbot stressed the need for public cooperation to maintain the integrity of the sanctuary, urging individuals to cease illegal fishing and sales.

 

Responding to public outcry, Bang Lamung District Chief Wikit Manarojkit ordered an immediate inspection. Although inspectors found no violations in the initial sweep, they acknowledged the community's concerns and pledged rapid, coordinated intervention to address the issue.

 

Local residents and regular patrons of the sanctuary praised the officials for their decisive response. The authorities now face the complex task of upholding sanctuary regulations while considering the livelihood needs of the villagers.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-10-02

 

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Further complicating the situation, authorities discovered a middleman buying large quantities of fish from the sanctuary. This raises further questions about the scale of illegal fishing operations. Phra Khru Wimon Phawanathorn Wi Chantha Santipanno, the assistant abbot, addressed the issue yesterday, underscoring that the reservoir is part of a royal initiative by King Rama IX aimed at agricultural development, prohibiting fishing activities to safeguard the sanctuary.

I can see an opening for the subs when the eventually arrive.

[cowellandrew]

Do you know who my rod is?

[johng]

I often wondered were the row of vendors  that wave at passing traffic trying to get visitors to buy fish and turtles to release into the lake as a merit making activity got their stock from came from perhaps now we know ?

[fredwiggy]

Nothing wrong with catch and release and even some fish kept as dinner, especially if this lake was as over populated with fish as I've seen in many other temple lakes. They keep stocking the fish and have to supplement feed them because there are way too many. carrying capacity is what should be done with all wildlife. If there are too many, you take a few out and feed a poor family. If there are too little, you can take some from other over populated lakes and stock them . The idea that Thais aren't killers has never been right as they eat anything that moves. There aren't any deer roaming Thailand besides in a few provincial parks because all the other deer were killed off. They have some conservation but it's mostly in those parks to have tourism. You rarely see any other wildlife for the same reason, besides snakes, which most should be killed an eaten anyway because many here can kill you very quick. Back in the US, they have wildlife managers, along with hunting for all game species and every state has plenty of wildlife because of limits and conservation, along with millions from hunters put towards the same.