Boat operators ordered to move away from Phuket Navy base, or face jail time

PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Office has issued an official order for boats to stay at least 500 meters away from the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area Command base in Cape Panwa, or face jail time.

The directive was handed down by the Marine Office on Tuesday, following an order from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to re-organize public areas and ensure the security of the Navy, said Marine Office Chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut.

“Anyone who does not follow the regulations will be charged with defying an official order and could face up to six months in jail,” he told the Phuket Gazette this morning.

The order to clear out of the waters at Cape Panwa follows a similar one handed down last month, in which yacht owners with vessels moored in Ao Yon Bay were told to move to other anchorages or else face six months in jail (story here).

Boat operators must obey the following regulations in order to avoid jail time:

1. No boats can enter or moor in waters within 500 meters of the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area Command base, in order to ensure the security of the Navy.

Prohibited boundaries around the Navy base are as follows:
A: Lat. 07 48 22.0 N, Long. 098 24 16.0 E.
B: Lat. 07 48 08.0 N, Long. 098 24 08.5 E.
C: Lat. 07 48 16.5 N, Long. 098 23 22.3 E.
D: Lat. 07 48 30.0 N, Long. 098 24 01.3 E.

2. Vessels entering at the Deep Sea Port must anchor or moor at the places defined below:

2.1 Cargo vessels drawing 10-16 meters:
A: Lat. 07 48 25.5 N. Long. 098 25 20.7 E.
B: Lat. 07 48 41.5 N. Long. 098 25 49.1 E.
C: Lat. 07 48 55.5 N. Long 098 25 41.3 E.
D: Lat. 07 48 39.5 N. Long 098 25 12.4 E.

2.2 Passenger vessels drawing 6-10 meters:
A: Lat. 07 48 39.5 N. Long. 098 25 12.4 E.
B: Lat. 07 48 55.5 N. Long. 098 25 41.3 E.
C: Lat. 07 49 09.5 N. Long. 098 25 34.6 E.
D: Lat. 07 48 54.1N. Long. 098 25 05.0 E.

2.3 Tankers drawing 3-5 meters:
A: Lat. 07 48 54.1 N. Long. 098 25 05.0 E.
B: Lat. 07 49 09.5 N. Long. 098 25 34.6 E.
C: Lat. 07 49 15.5 N. Long. 098 25 31.6 E.
D: Lat. 07 49 00.0 N. Long. 098 25 02.8 E.

2.4 Small vessels drawing 2-4 meters:
A: Lat. 07 49 00.0 N. Long. 098 25 02.8 E.
B: Lat. 07 49 15.5 N. Long. 098 25 31.6 E.
C: Lat. 07 49 21.0 N. Long. 098 25 28.2 E.
D: Lat. 07 49 06.1 N. Long. 098 24 59.0 E.

3. Vessels that are not in service or are awaiting repairs are allowed to anchor in the areas above (2.1-2.4). However, they must not be anchored for more than 15 days. Boat crew must be on the boats at all times.

— Chutharat Plerin