The investigation was launched at 6:30pm on Sunday (May 10) after a social media post alleged that a group of foreigners, believed to be Chinese tourists, were seen diving at night and using spearguns to catch parrotfish near Kata Beach.
According to the Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 10, the tourists reportedly brought the fish ashore near the beachfront area near the Ska Bar, where other foreign visitors gathered to watch and take photographs. The post also alleged that several starfish were removed from the water for tourists to handle.
A joint team of about 20 officers from the Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 10, Marine Police Division 8, Tourist Police Division 2, the Marine Resource Conservation Division, Forest Police, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division and Karon Municipality inspected the area at the southern end of Kata Beach following the complaint.
Officials questioned the owner of the Ska Bar, who confirmed witnessing a group of Chinese tourists spearfishing in the rocky area in front of the venue at about 8pm on Saturday (May 9).
The owner told officials the tourists ignored warnings to stop their activities.
The bar owner also requested that authorities install warning signs and increase patrols in the area, noting that the southern end of Kata Bay is relatively isolated and difficult to monitor.
Karon Municipality agreed to install informational signs along the beach and conduct regular patrols, while Karon Police will also increase monitoring in the area.
Authorities reminded tourists and local businesses that parrotfish are protected under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s 2024 environmental protection measures for Phuket.
Under Section 10(7) of the regulation, catching or possessing parrotfish from the Scaridae family is prohibited. Violators face penalties under the National Environmental Quality Promotion and Preservation Act of 1992, including imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to B100,000, or both.
Officials urged the public to report illegal fishing or possession of protected marine species by calling the Marine Protection Hotline at 1362.