Russian arrested, may face prison term for feeding fish

[webfact]

Russian arrested, may face prison term for feeding fish

Phuket Gazette

 

         

Ms Smirnova was charged with feeding fish in a forbidden area or in an area with coral reef. Photo: DMCR

 

KOH RACHA: A Russian tourist was arrested, with bail set at 100,000 baht, for feeding fish in Koh Racha yesterday afternoon. 

“The incident occurred at Plab Pla beach on Koh Racha Yai. During a regular patrol, officers found Olga Smirnova, 53, feeding bread to the fish,” said Suchat Rattanaruengsri, Region 6 head of the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Division. 

Ms Smirnova was taken to Chalong Police Station and charged with feeding fish in a forbidden area or in an area with coral reef, the maximum punishment for which is a year in prison, a 100,000-baht fine, or both.

“As we have said, we are taking a very strict stance on this. She has to pay the bail and remain in Thailand until her case is processed by a court,” said Mr Suchat. 

 

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Russian-arrested-may-face-prison-term-feeding/66283?desktopversion#ad-image-0

 

-- © Copyright Phuket Gazette 2017-02-20

[007cableguy]

oh dear Thailand now you don't even have to try to look stupid when you let shit like this goes on!


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[Dave66]

only serious as there is good cash in it. dont worry about all the other shit going on.

[craigt3365]

How about fine the Tour operator who allowed it?

[Thaiwrath]

19 minutes ago, webfact said:

“As we have said, we are taking a very strict stance on this.

If the same was applied to traffic violations, violence, drug and people trafficking, and numerous other serious offences, a lot of problems would be solved. But <deleted> me, feeding fish !

[ikke]

Why tourists still want to come here ?

There is no government.....

 

This should be shared on social media all over the world. 

 

[SoFarAndNear]

Been there a few years ago. I never heard that it was illegal to feed the fishes? The boat crew threw food themselves in the water to lure fish around the snorkeling tourists.

 

But nice of the Thai officials to obviously blame bread fish feeding tourist for Thailand being the third on the list of world ocean polluter. 

[madmitch]

A warning is all that should be required, and this warning should go to the tour operators, the people that supply the bread and fruit that tourists feed to the fish. To detain and fine a single tourist for indulging in a practice that is common on many boat tours is just wrong and in many ways pathetic.

 

Agree, this should be all over social media. I have tweeted the story to my meagre number of followers.

 

[WhizBang]

Just another nail in Thailand's tourist coffin.   Pathetic.

[sweatalot]

Time is ripe for an international warning to all potential tourists:

 

 

Stay away from Thailand - you might end in jail - for feeding fish !!!!

[Reigntax]

 

 

Should have just killed half a dozen people while driving unlicensed, given a few hours community service and then complained about the punishment.

 

But he just had to push the limits and feed the fish!

[Encid]

 

And these photos were taken by the DMCR too.

She's going to go back home to Russia and warn all her friends never to feed fish in Thailand.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Olga Smirnova, 53, feeding bread to the fish,”

 

[worgeordie]

What's the fine for feeding the elephants,it must be huge.

regards Worgeordie

[sebastion]

Obvious tourist scam. Other avenues of revenue must be drying up.

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[Fookhaht]

She would have been much better off threatening a family with a lethal weapon (other news report). Only 1000 baht fine.


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[Lupatria]

Finally- the UDD directives in Thailand in full swing.

[Sphere]

The marine equivalent of the cigarette butt scam. 

[Dodgydownunder]

This is retarded. Thailand......... you don't deserve tourists.

Edited February 20, 2017 by Dodgydownunder

[mike324]

pathetic action .... looks like they are out fishing - finding charges with the heaviest fines 

[docshock13]

Routine patrol, my arse! Tour operator getting a nice kickback on this one (and likely those that came before). 

[hEaDy]

... but throwing plastic into the sea for fish and other marine life to feed on and then die is perfectly OK

[elgordo38]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

KOH RACHA: A Russian tourist was arrested, with bail set at 100,000 baht, for feeding fish in Koh Racha yesterday afternoon. 

Did the BIB say that the bail money covers the fine your free to go home and tell all your friends. Sounds like another law from the bridge players raid cops archiac play book. 

[Silverfern62]

ive seen heaps of locals feed the fish, 

 

im guessing they wouldnt get arrested because there is no money to be made there . 

[rak sa_ngop]

Relax, it could have been worse. Russians like picking forest mushrooms in which case he would have got 5 years in the slammer!

[sommsomm]

2 hours ago, Reigntax said:

 

 

Should have just killed half a dozen people while driving unlicensed, given a few hours community service and then complained about the punishment.

 

But he just had to push the limits and feed the fish!

Olga now sleeps with the fish.

 

[wirat69]

Can't play Bridge, can't feed the fish, can't talk about (in)competence, can't suffer incontinence, can't drink the p*ss for 3 hours in the afternoon, can't take the p*ss.... what is there left to live for???!!!

 

[Godang]

44 minutes ago, rak sa_ngop said:

Relax, it could have been worse. Russians like picking forest mushrooms in which case he would have got 5 years in the slammer!

Olga is a female name comments assume the person is male.

[bkkgriz]

So, accidently shoot someone at a bus station; no worries, make a show of investigating and don't do it again. Feed some fish; 100,000 baht fine and possible jail time. Makes sense.

 

 

 https://media0.giphy.com/media/zM3yKws8qrM64/giphy.gif

Edited February 20, 2017 by bkkgriz

[Xaos]

What? WOW

Last time i went snorkeling in Similan island ppl were hand feeding fishes We were passing the bread around.

There would be no way of me knowing its illegal no one said anything.

Thats looks like set up tho.

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[Xaos]

Few monts ago I remember case when man head kicked 6 years old few times. He was let go free. Thailand becomes joke really

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