Suchart has ordered the Marine Department to raid submarine boats violating marine protection measures by anchoring and mooring to buoys in the middle of Racha Yai Island.
On 4 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, stated that after receiving anonymous complaints from local residents about submarine diving boats moored at Ao Tue, Racha Yai Island, with their sterns tied directly to buoy bases and left anchored for several consecutive days, Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, assigned the Protection, Suppression, and Protected Area Management Division to urgently inspect and enforce the law.
The inspection found that these actions violate the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's announcement defining boundaries and protection measures for marine and coastal resources, including beaches, coral reefs, calcareous algae, and other coral organisms at Racha Yai and Racha Noi Islands, Rawai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province, in 2023. The stern mooring directly to buoy bases risks moving the buoys due to boat tension and wave currents, causing them to scrape or collide with coral reefs, resulting in breakage and damage. Furthermore, permanently mooring prevents other boats from using the buoys. Consequently, two boats and two operators were detained and taken to Chalong Police Station in Phuket for legal proceedings. Details and evidence were provided for investigation under Criminal Case Nos. 969/2566 and 967/2566 dated 4 Sep 2026 GMT+7.
These acts violate Section 22 of the Marine and Coastal Resources Management Act B.E. 2558 (2015), which stipulates penalties of up to two years imprisonment, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources will continue to patrol, monitor, and enforce laws in marine protected areas. They also urge the public, tourists, and marine tourism operators to strictly comply with marine and coastal resource protection measures. Anyone witnessing harmful actions against marine resources can report to authorities to help preserve and sustain marine and coastal environments.