The activities were carried out yesterday (Jan 13) at Plub Pla Beach on Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, with the governor accompanied by Vice Admiral Veerud Muangchin, Commander of the Third Naval Area Command and Director of Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Region 3 (Thai MECC 3).
Also taking part were Mueang Phuket District Chief Pairoj Srilamul, officials from relevant provincial agencies and officers involved in marine security and environmental protection.
According to the Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office, the operation followed formal approval from Thai MECC 3 and was jointly organised with the Racha Islands Protected Area Management Center and related agencies.
A total of 35 mooring buoys were installed off Plub Pla Beach to provide safe anchoring points for boats and reduce the need for vessels to drop anchors onto sensitive reef areas.
In addition, three coral reef protection buoy lines, with a combined length of more than 1,200 metres, were laid to clearly mark protected zones and prevent encroachment by marine traffic.
Authorities explained that the initiative aims to prevent further damage to coral reefs caused by anchoring, support the sustainable use of marine resources, and raise public and operator awareness about marine conservation.
The project is also intended to reinforce Phuket’s image as a world-class marine tourism destination that balances economic activity with environmental responsibility.
As part of the programme, participating officials and volunteers also conducted a beach clean-up at Plub Pla Beach to remove marine debris and improve the natural environment of the island.
During the event, Governor Nirat and Vice Admiral Veerud jointly launched several of the mooring buoys into the sea, a symbolic gesture intended to boost morale among officers and personnel involved in the operation and to highlight the importance of cooperation between civilian authorities and the navy in protecting Phuket’s marine ecosystems.
Provincial officials noted that similar conservation activities will continue in other key marine tourism areas around Phuket as part of longer-term efforts to safeguard coral reefs and coastal resources.