ไทย
Phuket – On May 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM, the Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Region 10 deployed an integrated task force to inspect the area at Kata Beach, Karon Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province, following social media reports alleging that a group of foreign nationals, believed to be Chinese tourists, had illegally spearfished parrotfish — a protected ornamental fish species prohibited from capture and possession.
According to the report, the tourists were diving at night using spearfishing equipment. After catching the fish, they reportedly swam back to shore carrying the catch. The group was also seen collecting several starfish for female tourists to play with. The video further showed other foreign tourists nearby joining in and taking photographs in a cheerful manner. The incident reportedly occurred near the headland area close to the Boathouse Restaurant at Kata Beach on the night of May 9.
Officials from multiple agencies, including Division 8 of the Phuket Marine Police, Division 2 of the Phuket Tourist Police Bureau, the Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Region 10 – Marine Resources Conservation Division, Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (Forestry Police), and Karon Subdistrict Municipality, totaling 20 officers, jointly inspected the southern section of Kata Beach near “PHUKET SKA BAR,” the location shown in the viral video.
The owner of PHUKET SKA BAR informed officials that on May 9, 2026, at approximately 8:00 PM, a group of Chinese tourists had been seen spearfishing among the rocky beachfront area in front of the establishment. The tourists later brought parrotfish ashore, attracting the attention of other foreign visitors who stopped to observe and take photographs, as shown in the news reports. The owner stated that he had attempted to stop the tourists, but they ignored his warnings. He therefore requested that authorities install public information signs along the beachfront and increase inspection patrols in the area, noting that the location is situated at the far end of Kata Bay.
Karon Subdistrict Municipality has agreed to install warning and informational signage along the beachfront and will assign municipal officers to conduct regular inspections. Meanwhile, Karon Police Station will also deploy patrol officers to monitor the area.
Authorities additionally conducted public awareness campaigns for foreign tourists, local businesses, and tourism operators regarding the penalties associated with the capture and possession of parrotfish. The details are as follows:
“The capture or possession of parrotfish, listed under Item 77 of the annex to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Notification regarding Environmental Protection Measures in Phuket Province B.E. 2567 (2024), specifically parrotfish within the family Scaridae, constitutes a violation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Notification on Environmental Protection Measures in Phuket Province B.E. 2567, dated December 13, 2024, Clause 10 (7).
Violators are subject to penalties under Section 100 of the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act B.E. 2535 (1992), including imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to 100,000 Baht, or both.
Members of the public who witness the capture or possession of parrotfish are encouraged to contact the Marine and Coastal Resources Protection Hotline at 1362 for further legal action by authorities.”
