The oil contamination was reported around noon by the Sustainable Mai Khao group. Environmental advocates based were conducting a preliminary check at Mai Khao Beach in preparation for a CSR cleanup event with 50 participants from Kearney -- Management Consulting when they stumbled upon the contamination.
"A mere oil spill from a single vessel can inflict harm upon countless creatures and result in extensive beach pollution," the group lamented in a Facebook post.
At around 2.40pm, Sustainable Mai Khao revealed more disconcerting revelations. Small tar balls, which are notably challenging to eliminate, were also discovered strewn across the beach.
"So sad to say – it’s back. The dreaded tar balls are back. We thought that was just an oil spill with normal oil, but it seems to be the sticky tar that we’ve encountered a few times already," Sustainable Mai Khao reported demostrating the pollution in a live broadcast on Facebook.
"As you can see, there are thousands of pieces of polysterene that are very difficult to pick up. And now they are mixed with the tar balls which makes it even more difficult to pick up," the group further explained.
Phuket beachgoers on social media have already documented instances of discovering oil and tar on Nai Yang Beach, a protected area within the boundaries of Sirinath National Park.
As of 4.30pm, the national park authorities had not issued any official statements concerning the beach contamination. Phuket officials had yet to release a public statement on the matter.