PHUKET: Illegal ''dive'' boats off Phi Phi are to be seized and destroyed as a reforming activist begins a barnstorming campaign to save Thailand's coral reefs from destruction.
Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a noted marine academic and member of the National Reform Council, swept onto Phi Phi this week intent on ending corruption and telling Phuketwan his aim is to undo years of neglect as fast as possible.
Today came his first edict, telling officials on the rites-of-passage holiday island - located in Krabi province but reached most often from Phuket - that the ''try dive'' boats must go.
Some of these boats, which allow ''divers'' to descend and walk on the coral in plastic shoes, have been at anchor off Phi Phi for three years, with the coral that was once beneath them destroyed by lack of sunshine and the feet of hundreds of visitors.
''No type of 'try dive' vessel will be permitted,'' he said, naming the companies involved as Sea Angel, OK Dive, Under the Sea, World Dive and Dive Dream..
Dr Thon has been given exceptional authority to order changes to save Phi Phi's reefs for the future of Thailand tourism.
Phuketwan joined him on Phi Phi this week, shortly before he launched the crackdown.
Among many points he made was that Phi Phi is surrounded these days by about 1000 tourism-related boast but there are only 47 buoys.
''What this means is that all the boats that anchor away from these buoys are destroying the coral reefs. This has to stop.''
On Monday, Dr Thon met with police and other officials to involve them in his strategy to save the island.
''There are only four national park officers and one and a half boats,'' he said. ''I say one and a half boats because one of the vessels constantly breaks down.
''We need a concerted campaign by everyone to end this destruction and save Phi Phi.''
Although more than 800 people were killed when the tsunami struck Phi Phi in 2004, plans to control development were never pursued and the island these days resounds with construction of all kinds, including a large shopping mall.
Dr Thon visited the bars and the beaches at night and was shocked by what he saw. Phuketwan also noted the fire torch acts, the smell of fuel, and the patrons relieving themselves in the sea.
This was early evening on a quiet night - it was not hard to guess how much care for the environment there would be on big nights. We just missed Halloween.
Phi Phi is still a popular destination for 20 somethings but most of them seem bent on enjoying themselves, by day and by night.
The island is still appealing because cars and motorcycles are banned but almost all drinking water has to be brought from the mainland, while all the garbage has to be shipped off.
Expect more from Dr Thon as he does his best to save Phi Phi's coral reefs and add sensible policies where there are none.
Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a noted marine academic and member of the National Reform Council, swept onto Phi Phi this week intent on ending corruption and telling Phuketwan his aim is to undo years of neglect as fast as possible.
Today came his first edict, telling officials on the rites-of-passage holiday island - located in Krabi province but reached most often from Phuket - that the ''try dive'' boats must go.
Some of these boats, which allow ''divers'' to descend and walk on the coral in plastic shoes, have been at anchor off Phi Phi for three years, with the coral that was once beneath them destroyed by lack of sunshine and the feet of hundreds of visitors.
''No type of 'try dive' vessel will be permitted,'' he said, naming the companies involved as Sea Angel, OK Dive, Under the Sea, World Dive and Dive Dream..
Dr Thon has been given exceptional authority to order changes to save Phi Phi's reefs for the future of Thailand tourism.
Phuketwan joined him on Phi Phi this week, shortly before he launched the crackdown.
Among many points he made was that Phi Phi is surrounded these days by about 1000 tourism-related boast but there are only 47 buoys.
''What this means is that all the boats that anchor away from these buoys are destroying the coral reefs. This has to stop.''
On Monday, Dr Thon met with police and other officials to involve them in his strategy to save the island.
''There are only four national park officers and one and a half boats,'' he said. ''I say one and a half boats because one of the vessels constantly breaks down.
''We need a concerted campaign by everyone to end this destruction and save Phi Phi.''
Although more than 800 people were killed when the tsunami struck Phi Phi in 2004, plans to control development were never pursued and the island these days resounds with construction of all kinds, including a large shopping mall.
Dr Thon visited the bars and the beaches at night and was shocked by what he saw. Phuketwan also noted the fire torch acts, the smell of fuel, and the patrons relieving themselves in the sea.
This was early evening on a quiet night - it was not hard to guess how much care for the environment there would be on big nights. We just missed Halloween.
Phi Phi is still a popular destination for 20 somethings but most of them seem bent on enjoying themselves, by day and by night.
The island is still appealing because cars and motorcycles are banned but almost all drinking water has to be brought from the mainland, while all the garbage has to be shipped off.
Expect more from Dr Thon as he does his best to save Phi Phi's coral reefs and add sensible policies where there are none.
What about Sea-Gypsies (Moken) diving with hookahs and walking on the reefs to fish with an air-compressor on board their long tail boats?
Their livelihood is in danger!
Posted by WhistleBlower on November 5, 2015 11:55