Chinese tourists sought over spearfishing of parrotfish off Kata Beach

Phuket police and officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources are searching for a group of Chinese tourists seen in a social media video with several parrotfish, which they allegedly caught in the sea off Kata Beach using spear guns.

About 20 officials patrolled Kata Beach yesterday to ask beachgoers and vendors whether they had seen the group with the parrotfish or knew where they could be found.

A department official said that fishing in a protected environmental zone is an offence punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a fine of 100,000 baht upon conviction.

He also said that municipal officials will erect signs on beaches to inform the public about regulations concerning what they can and cannot do on beaches and in the sea. Beach patrols will also be stepped up, he added.

Members of the public are asked to call Hotline 1362 if they encounter anyone with caught parrotfish.