News of the shrine was shared by the local branch of environmental group Monsoon Garbage, asking for clarification on whether the shrine was allowed to be on the island, which is in a protected national park area.
The shrine sits in a base of concrete that had been made to give a level surface, as it sits atop a rock that had also been fixed in position so it did not move due to exposure to the elements.
The key features of the shrine sit inside a clear enclosure that appears to be waterproof.
The shrine also appeared to have been visited recently, with other elements placed outside the box along with joss sticks, as if someone had recently paid their respects to the shrine.
Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), yesterday (Apr 15) issued a notice to Watchara Songsee-on, Head of Sirinath National Park, to restore the area to its natural state, prompting park officers into action today.
Park officers noted they would need to bring the correct equipment to remove the shrine entirely, as the concrete itself presented its own challenge.
Local Kamnan (subdistrict chief) Watcharathon Klangkua said this was not the first time local villagers had seen such shrines, with previous sightings dating back to 1982.
It was not known whether the shrine at Koh Pling was a memorial for the deceased, or even contained any bone fragment remains, or whether it was a shrine for black magic, Mr Watcharathon said.