State news agency MCOT reported that fuel oil from the vessel, which sank on Feb 7, has now reached Kahang Beach on Koh Hei. Images circulating yesterday showed tar balls and oil slicks along sections of the shoreline.
The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 (Thai-MECC 3) has deployed teams to Koh Hei to remove oil from the sand and prevent further spread. Oil containment booms are also being installed in a bid to stop the slick drifting towards major tourist beaches, including Nai Harn Beach, Rawai Beach and Kata Beach.
According to officials, a specialist diving team is scheduled to descend to the wreck today (Feb 26) to seal any remaining leaks. The operation had been delayed for several days due to negotiations between the ship’s owner and an underwater survey team over repair costs.
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation. Director-General Dr Pinsak Suraswadi said officials from the Racha Islands Protected Area Management Center in Phuket and the Phuket Marine Resource Conservation Center had reported visible oil slicks at the wreck site, as well as tar balls scattered along approximately 80-100 metres of Kahang Beach.
The department has coordinated with local municipalities, subdistrict administrative organisations and tourism operators to clean affected areas and collect samples of oil residue for analysis. Authorities are assessing potential impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems, particularly coral reefs and nearshore habitats around Koh Hei.
Meanwhile, Rawai Municipality issued a public warning expressing concern over possible ecological damage, especially if the slick spreads further towards Nai Harn and Yanui beaches. Municipal officials, including the mayor and disaster prevention officers, inspected the affected areas around Koh Hei and near the wreck site.
Officials said efforts will continue in the coming days to contain the spill and minimise any impact on tourism, while expert divers work to permanently seal the source of the leak.