Krabi –
A foreigner was caught on social media allegedly catching parrot fish in a national park area in Krabi. The video had first been noticed on TikTok and then widely shared by “outraged” Thais.
The video clip had gone viral on social media this week but it was later deleted from the original source, which appeared to be uploaded by the foreign man himself. Relevant officials have already investigated the issue.
The parrot fish is not a protected marine animal but all marine animals are not allowed to be caught in the national park areas.
Local fishermen said when they accidentally caught parrot fish, they released them back to the sea. They are not famous for food.
Sophon Thongee, director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, stated that a full investigation was undergoing and that the act was “unacceptable”. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa also reportedly was “furious” about the news and asked for all resources to be pulled together to arrest and charge the foreign man in the video.
Sophon added that the still unidentified foreign man had also stabbed a sea eel in the video, which he said was a cruel act.
The Thai fishing boat captain used for the video has reportedly been identified and is being interviewed, Sophon concluded.
The foreigner could face up to five years in a Thai Prison under strict National Park laws, as well as high fines and the threat of being deported and blacklisted afterward.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=–=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and get all our news delivered to you in one spam-free daily e-mail Click here! OR, enter your e-mail below!
Help support The Phuket Express in 2022!
