Six southern provinces along the Andaman coast have been declared protected area against catches of decorative fish

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Yongyut Tiyapairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช), has signed an announcement designating the six southern border provinces on the Andaman coast a protected area.

Mr. Yongyut said the order came in the wake of a petition that smuggling of aquarium fishes out of Thailand has depleted the natural resources while the animals themselves often die upon the change of environment.

The minister admitted that the signing had been delayed by more than a year due to the tsunamis. The signing will take effect once it is announced in the Royal Gazette. The six protected provinces include Phuket, Satun, Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang and Ranong. Once implemented, it will allow authorities to effectively curb the smuggling of aquarium fishes indicated in the list attached to the announcement. Activities threatening the sea and the coastal areas are also prohibited.

The minister said that authorities will also be watchful against smuggling of aquarium fishes in the Gulf of Thailand which might increase following the enforcement of the mentioned announcement.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 April 2006

Shame they can't do anything about the tons of rubbish in Thailand's oceans which probably wreak far more havoc on Thailand's marine eco system.

Very good plan, however, wasn,t Phi Phi islands protected for the last 20 years allready.

If i remember well, Lonely Planet guidebooks advised not to visit them (years ago)

So wath do they mean wen they speak about protected area, or National park

Six southern provinces along the Andaman coast have been declared protected area against catches of decorative fish

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Yongyut Tiyapairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช), has signed an announcement designating the six southern border provinces on the Andaman coast a protected area.

Mr. Yongyut said the order came in the wake of a petition that smuggling of aquarium fishes out of Thailand has depleted the natural resources while the animals themselves often die upon the change of environment.

The minister admitted that the signing had been delayed by more than a year due to the tsunamis. Tsunamis? Why should a tsunami prevent the signing of a decree meant to protect what was obviously damaged further by nature on top of the worst pillage by human greed? The signing will take effect once it is announced in the Royal Gazette. The six protected provinces include Phuket, Satun, Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang and Ranong. Once implemented, it will allow authorities to effectively curb the smuggling of aquarium fishes indicated in the list attached to the announcement. Activities threatening the sea and the coastal areas are also prohibited. How can these areas be protected with such limited patrols allocated? The exorbitant fees collected by the marine national parks go where?

The minister said that authorities will also be watchful against smuggling of aquarium fishes in the Gulf of Thailand which might increase following the enforcement of the mentioned announcement.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 April 2006