Dead coral seized from ‘Muktawan 1’ meditation facility off Phuket

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Dead coral seized from ‘Muktawan 1’ meditation facility off Phuket

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Officials seized a total of 37 kilos of dead coral from the Muktawan 1 meditation facility on Koh Yao Noi. Photo Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMRC) yesterday (Dec 21) found and seized 37 kilograms of dead coral during an inspection of the “Muktawan 1” meditation facility on Koh Yao Noi in Phang Nga.

 

The inspection came after the owners of the facility, the Dhammakaya Foundation, were alleged to have used a nominee to occupy some land plots where its three meditation facilities are located on Koh Yao Noi Island, some of which are also said to encroach on forest land.

 

Mr Suchart Rattanariangsri Director of the DMCR’s Marine Resource Conservation Division at the Sixth Marine Coastal Resources Administration Office together with officers from the Koh Yao Noi carried out an inspection of the Muktawan 1 meditation facility and found various pieces of dead coral piled up to prevent soil erosion in the area.

 

Pieces of dead coral were also used to as a top dressing for trees in the area and also to decorate buildings.

 

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/dead-coral-seized-from-muktawan-1-meditation-facility-off-phuket-60349.php

 

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