Thailand
Phuket conservationists butt heads with locals on coral reef

Conservationists are fighting to stop a bay being dredged in Ao Kung in Pa Khlok, on Phuket’s east coast, as they say it will damage nearby coral reefs. A former village headman says the bay needs to be dredged because fishing boats have a hard time getting to the port at low tide. At a meeting with representatives of local government offices, and about 180 local residents, the majority voted to dredge the bay. But the leader of the Baan Ao Kung Mangrove Forest Conservation Group said the meeting was “truly unfair to stakeholders.”
Yesterday, the leader submitted an objection to the meeting’s outcome. The former village headman acknowledged the group’s concern, and said the authorities’ examination of areal photos showed the environment and nearby mangrove forests wouldn’t be impacted. The headman said, “There have been several rounds of hearings of public opinions in which the majority agreed to take action. Therefore, the Marine Department should now conduct the dredging.”
Ao Kung has so much coral that it’s sometimes called “Coral Island.” Many visitors have posted photos of all the coral they’ve seen during low tide. In 2018, the mangrove conservation group stopped a sports complex from being built at the bay because it was concerned about the environmental impact.
SOURCE: The Phuket News | The Phuket News | Dreams Time
Get more from The Thaiger
Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.
Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.
Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.
- Press Room3 days ago
Thailand Covid insurance for Thailand Pass
- Education3 days ago
Why you should study Thai to explore Thailand
- South2 days ago
UPDATE: Cafe serves drinks in “penis” bags in southern Thailand
- Central Thailand2 days ago
UPDATE: French woman dies riding bicycle in central Thailand
- 360 Reviews23 mins ago
Amazing Floating Hotels in Thailand for 2022
- Central Thailand2 days ago
French woman dies riding bicycle in central Thailand
- Leisure2 days ago
Make your dream vacation at these 5 grandest luxury villas in Phuket
- North East3 days ago
Thai cult’s food products tested – feces, bacteria and mould detected
Recent comments: