Phuket Marine Office offers B10,000 reward for pictures of oil-dumpers
Phuket Gazette


Mr Phuriphat announced a 10,000 baht reward for photos of oil being dumped into the sea. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Marine Office is offering a 10,000 baht reward for photographs of people dumping oil into the sea.

It is illegal to release oil into the sea, said Phuket Marine Office chief Phuriphat Teerakulpisut.

“But we can only arrest suspects if we have enough proof or catch them in action. In the past, we have been too late, and the only evidence of the crime was oil on the surface of the sea.”

“We want to protect our waters from people who disrespect them. We cannot monitor the entire island all at once, so we urge the public to help us.”

Photos can be taken to the Phuket Marine Office in Ao Makham at the entrance of the Deep Sea Port of Phuket.

“Please note that you must indicate the exact date, time and location of the crime, and have a clear picture of the suspect's face,” said Chief Phuriphat.

“Once we have evidence, it is easier for us to pursue the suspect and proceed with the legal process.”

The reward will be paid regardless of whether an arrest is made, provided the photo clearly shows the suspect's face, he said.

Those arrested for dumping oil into the sea are in violation of two different laws:

The Act on Navigation in Thai Waters BE 2456 Section 119, which carries a penalty of up to three years imprisonment, a 60,000 baht fine or both. Violators are also required to make payment toward treating or rehabilitating the contaminated area.

The Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act BE 2535, sections 96 and 97. Violators must pay the cost of water treatment or pollution cleanup, and pay for any damages, whether to livelihood or health, of people affected.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2014/Phuket-Marine-Office-offers-B10-000-reward-for-pictures-of-oil-dumpers-24575.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2014-02-11

Why do I get the feeling this is going to contribute greatly to the amount of oil dumped in the ocean?

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You need to go look at bangsaray and most likely any little fishing town around. The fisherman dump their empty or at least what they believe to be empty cartons or bottles of water into the ocean all the time. If they don't then they through it on the floor of the boat and it stays there until the waters from the ocean have cleaned them dry.

Ever walk along the docks or the inlets where they dock their boats. Just look at them, leaking oil at a continuous flow.

I am glade your offering money....it's a start but would be better if they started checking boats and tagging them. Making them pull their boats from the beaches if they are leaking or dumping oil cans on the floor of the boats so that it leaks into the oceans

They will not grasp the nettle, on any issue. Thainess. At its worst!

Rather a cheap reward considering the risk involved. Of course, it would be a good thing to do, and a fantastic 'merit making' exercise.

....will anyone risk his/her life for 10,000 baht....

I was a Marine Engineer for many years and in order to get the person face you have to be in the engine room while there is oil being pump true the bilge pump.

So it is impossible to bring any proofs of doing so at the time, and it is done very often at night in the dark.

Good luck to anyone who want the guys face who is doing so.

Take the ship flag picture and the name time and date of the appearance, although when it is pump out it is from under water release and it only show later in time.