Surin Islands: Surin Islands National Park has filed a complaint against those involved in the incident of a Myanmar cargo ship running aground on a coral reef in Surin Islands National Park, pressing five serious charges and demanding compensation from the state.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, revealed that he had received a report from Mr. Kriangkrai Phuacharoen, Chief of the Surin Islands National Park, regarding the case of the Myanmar cargo ship ‘MV.AYAR LINN’ that hit a coral reef and ran aground in the bay of the park on June 1. The latest is that a complaint has been filed with the investigation officer of Kura Buri Police Station, Phang Nga Province on June 2, 2025, at 1:26 p.m., according to the Provincial Police Act, Section 5, Criminal Case No. 128/2025 and Asset Seizure Case No. 60/2025.
The complaint states five charges under the National Parks Act 2019: occupying or causing the national park area to deteriorate or change the condition of the area is punishable by imprisonment of 4-20 years or a fine of 400,000-2,000,000 baht, or both (Section 19(1) in conjunction with Section 41); causing damage to natural resources or affecting the ecosystem, imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 baht, or both (Section 19(2) in conjunction with Section 42); causing harm to animals in the park is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 baht, or both (Section 19(3) in conjunction with Section 43); failure to comply with the orders of park officials will result in a fine not exceeding 100,000 baht (Section 20 in conjunction with Section 47); causing damage to natural resources, must be liable to compensate the state for the full amount of the damage (Section 40).
The Director-General of the Department of National Parks emphasized that in addition to criminal proceedings and seizure of assets according to the law, documents are currently being prepared to claim compensation for damage to coral reefs and marine ecosystems. From the initial assessment, the coral reefs were damaged over 150 square meters and it is estimated that the total damage may be as high as 12 million baht. Strict legal action will be taken against those involved.