PHUKET: Authorities have confirmed that the search is on to find the culprits that caused extensive oil slick and tar ball pollution to several beaches along the west coast of the island.
Beaches in the northwestern part of the island including Nai Yang, Mai Khao, Nai Thon and Layan all experienced pollutants being washed ashore in the past few days, with further reports on social media of Patong Beach being impacted late yesterday (Aug 5).
It prompted an extensive clean-up operation yesterday across a 10-kilometre span covering Nai Yang, Mai Khao, Nai Thon and Layan Beaches where teams consisting of National Park officials, lifeguards and volunteers pitched in to clear the pollutants and any other debris from the respective beaches.
There were also several instances where wildlife had been impacted and rescued by beachgoers who then passed the stricken animals onto officials who meticulously cleaned them and nursed them back to health. A baby turtle and a bird were just two such examples.
The clean-ups continued today as authorities maintained a “no-swim” zone order at Nai Yang, Mai Khao, Nai Thon and Layan beaches in order to ensure the safety of swimmers.
Additionally, the Phuket Harbour Master, Nachapong Pranit, filed an official complaint with Sakhu Police in an effort to determine the offender(s) who caused the issue.
Adul Raluekmool, Vessel Inspector at the Phuket Regional Harbour Office, said that a team from his office led by Mr Nachapong was collaborating with officials from Sirinath National Park, the Phuket Office of Natural Resources and Environment and the Marine and Coastal Resources office to jointly prepare records of evidence, including witness reports, relating to the oil spill and its impact.
Mr Adul explained that the official complaint falls under the Navigation in Thai Waters Act 1913 and its amendment, Section 119 bis, which states: “No person shall pour, drop… the oil and chemical product or anything into river, canal, swamp, reservoir or lake that is used for traveling by the people, or that is jointly used by the people; or the sea within Thai waters, it shall be poison to living things or environment or danger to navigation in the said river, canal, swamp, reservoir or lake.”
The act further explains that anyone who violates this law is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding B60,000, or both. The offender must also reimburse any expenses incurred in addressing and resolving the situation, the act states.
In an attempt to locate the offender(s), officials from the Andaman Maritime Traffic and Safety Control Center (CSCA), together with the 3rd Naval Area, are using VTS systems to back trace information on ships and vessels that have travelled along the western coast of Phuket in the past few days.
Additionally, a helicopter from the CSCA base took off yesterday to search for ships along the coast that may have been guilty of causing the oil spill.
Authorities have vowed to continue this search process until the offender(s) are identified and can be prosecuted as per the law.
