The boat was found moored at Ao Tonsai in the Noparatthara National Park.
Police carried out a search of the vessel and questioned Boonsong Saikloy who takes care of the boat, the boat captain and crew members.
Phi Phi Royal Park and Marine officers had been hunting for the owners of the Phuket based tour company which owns the boat after pictures posted on Facebook of tourists swimming amongst the fish went viral on social media.
Marine conservationists and the general public became upset after seeing the pictures on Thon Thamrongnawasawat̕s Facebook page.
It is alledged that the tour boat lures fish into the hull of the boat with food and then closes the tank. Tourists are then allowed to swim with the fish.
The fish are released once the trip is over.
The person who posted the pictures was afraid that this act would damaged the marine biology of the area where the pictures were taken .
Noparatthara Park chief, Chaiyathatch Boonphupantonti said yesterday, “This act is considered to be against the Marine Park Acts (law) and has broken the Endangered Species Protection Act.”
After questioning the boat̕s staff they found that The Ocean Underworld is the name of the tour boat and it does have all the registered paperwork. All the crew also had all the correct paperwork.
The boat belongs to Nicom Ocha who own the Phi Phi Cruisers Company in Phuket.
The boat is always anchored at Ao Tonsai and the tour company arranges for small boats to bring tourists to see and swim with the fish.
Officials checked the bottom of the boat via a small walkway inside the boat and thirteen tourists were viewing the fish when officers arrived.
The marine authorities have advised the owner of the boat that they are not using the boat in accordance with the registration papers and will have to pay a B10,000 fine.
Park officials will also be investigating to see if there is a case for encroachment due to the fact the boat is always moored in the National Park.