Yesterday, Tourism and Sport Chief, Santi Pawai and Tourist police Deputy Inspector; Capt Eakkachai Siri led a team of officials to Koh Khai in Phang Nga to investigate controversial pictures of Chinese tourists grabbing marine animals which were posted on a Dr Thon’s Facebook page.
The photos showed the tourists using bread to feed and lure the fish into a piece of net. Once in the net the tourists then grabbed the fish and had their photo taken whilst holding them.
Associate Dean of the Fisheries Department at Kasetsart University, Dr Thon Thamrongsawat posted several pictures on his Facebook page which fuelled many comments agreeing that such act is inappropriate and that the tourists are destroying the Koh Khai marine eco system.
Tour companies and guides have now been informed of the photos circulating on social media and officials have handed out a list of do’s and don'ts them. They have also explained to them that they must watch and inform tourists not to hold fish or any marine animals.
The companies and guides have also been told that if they neglect their duty they will be punished according to tourism laws.
Santi Pawai revealed that while walking through Koh Khai to investigate the incident, officials saw a group of Chinese tourists playing on the beach while their tour guide was waiting on a boat.
"The Chinese tourists were throwing pieces of bread into the sea and lured clown fish into a plastic bag. Their guide, who was sitting on a boat, completely ignored this activity," said Mr Santi.
Officials intervened in the tourist’s activity and explained to them that by doing as they do they are damaging the marine eco system and demanded they stop playing and catching the fish.
Mr Santi then approached the tour guide and informed him that while he is on duty he must not neglect his tour group. He also seized the tour guide’s work permit.
“His work permit as a tour guide will be temporary suspended due to his negligence, he has broken the 2008 tourism law," said Mr Santi.
Mr Santi added that the Tourism and Sport Registrar Office plans to have a training seminar for tour guides that will discuss topics concerning marine natural resources preservation and eco friendly marine tourism.