Ruamsil Manajonprasert, Chief of the Mu Ko Similan National Park, and officers were informed of people fishing in the waters off Huyong Island on Wednesday (Apr 17), and moved quickly to intervene.
The officers arrived at the east side of island to find the speedboat Nicola with person on the boat fishing.
On the boat the officers found boat captain Sansern Klasuek and Phuket tour and fishing guide Prasert Kuansamrong, both 35, along with boat mechanic Wichart Damyot, Thai, 52, and Myanmar national crewman Ten Si Tu, 27.
Also on board were Italian nationals Claudio Bonfatti and Mario Vincenzo Biccai, both 70 years old.
Already landed on board were 115 fish, including needlefish, barracuda, northern bluefin tuna and shovelhead catfishes, among others.
Officers noted the haul weighed 46.5kg and was estimated to be worth B9,300.
The park officers then declared the speedboat and all objects on board, including 25 fishing rods, four fishing rods without reels and two ice boxes – altogether deemed to be worth B2,107,400 – as evidence seized pending charges for fishing in the national park.
All six men were taken to Kuraburi Police Station in Phang Nga for further questioning.
However, attempts by The Phuket News today to confirm which of the six persons were to face which charges went unanswered.
Meanwhile, the speedboat and all items seized will remain impounded by Similan National Park while the charges are being filed, park officials noted.
However, all 46.5kg of the fish caught were disposed of in a hole in the ground yesterday (Apr 18), park officials explained.