Article 17 enforced: DMCR to arrest tourists, guides for disturbing marine life

Kongleaphy Keam

PHUKET: Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) officials are adopting tougher rules in an attempt to rescue three islands off Phuket’s coast from man-made environmental damage.

A committee assembled by members of the DMCR's Region 6 has agreed to expand the powers of DMCR officers and to level harsher punishments for tourists and boat operators who disturb wildlife.

The new punishments, which include up to one year in prison, a 100,000-baht fine, or both, went into effect on Tuesday.

In deploying the new regulations, the committee cited Article 17 of the DMCR regulations, allowing the establishment of any regulations in an area deemed under threat of environmental degradation.

The deteriorating environmental situation of Koh Kai Nok, Kai Nai and Kai Nui, located halfway between Phuket and Koh Yao, came to public attention after pictures posted on social media showing tourists proudly displaying captured fish in plastic bags went viral.

Researchers working with the DMCR said the percentage of living coral surrounding the islands has plummeted, from 80 per cent of the coral recorded as living there in 1991, to less than 10 per cent this year.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Article-17-enforced-DMCR-arrest-tourists-guides/63955?desktopversion

-- Phuket Gazette 2016-05-28

In addition to safety issues currently in the news, here is another reason to better regulate the tour boat industry. Environmental education as well as safety education required for all boat crew and licenses to operate dependant on a good record in both areas. Like the fishing fleet, the speedboat/longtail boat fleet is probably some 2x over the capacity the environement can properly support.

Fewer and better is required

Here is how Thailand can enforce the Article 17. Confiscate that ship. Are their all blind??

http://photo.greenpeace.org/archive/Greenpeace-Activists-confront-supply-vessel-Explorer-II-27MZIFJJCWTQF.html

In a very short time, Thailand has allowed its reefs to be plundered by Chinese tourists, it's waterways to be polluted by Chinese tourists and its streets to be fouled by Chinese tourists. Now Thailand is waking up to the morning after, an environmental disaster, that could easily have been avoided if it had set the rules and regulations much earlier on. All in the name of funneling hordes of low quality, low budget visitors past the turnstiles...