Phuket dive boats seized over Racha Yai coral moorings

Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has seized two dive boats at Racha Yai Island, Phuket, after they were allegedly left tied to mooring buoys for several consecutive days, creating a risk of damage to nearby coral.

Two boat operators were arrested on 4 September and handed to investigators at Chalong Police Station. The department said the vessels had been found at Ao Tue, on Racha Yai, after an unnamed local resident made a complaint.

Risk of coral being dragged or damaged

Dr Pinsak Suraswadi, director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, ordered its protection, suppression and protected-area management division to inspect the site and take urgent legal action.

Officials found that the sterns of the boats had been tied directly to buoy bases and that the vessels had remained in position for several days.

According to the department, this could cause a buoy base to move under the pull of a boat and the force of waves and wind. If shifted, the base could strike or scrape across the coral reef, potentially breaking and damaging coral.

The practice also prevents other boats from using the mooring buoy, the department said.

Protected waters around Racha islands

Authorities said the alleged conduct breaches a 2023 Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment notification setting protected-area boundaries and measures for beaches, coral, sea fans and coral-reef organisms around Racha Yai and Racha Noi islands, Rawai subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket.

The two suspects, both boat operators, were taken to Chalong Police Station along with the boats. Police recorded the cases on 4 September 2026: criminal case 969/2569 at 1.31pm and criminal case 967/2569 at 1.25pm.

The department said the case falls under Section 22 of the Marine and Coastal Resources Management Promotion Act 2015. Anyone who breaches or fails to comply with marine and coastal resource protection measures faces up to two years in prison, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both.

The department said it would continue patrols, monitoring and enforcement in marine protected areas. It also asked residents, tourists and marine-tourism businesses to follow the protection measures strictly and report activity that may damage marine resources.

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

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6 September 2026

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