Phi Phi “aquarium in the wild’ ordered to close

PHUKET: The “aquarium in the wild” boat anchored inside Phi Phi national park was ordered to close on Wednesday.

The large fish hold of Lok Tai Taley (World Under the Water) had been converted to allow fish to swim freely into it and guests to walk among them.

“We ordered them to stop the ‘fish pool’ service, which the owner agreed to do,” said Chaithat Boonphupantanti, chief of the Koh Phi Phi-Nopparathara National Park.

The officers also issued a 500-baht fine to the company for operating a business for personal benefit inside the national park without permission. The company was fined 10,000 baht by the Krabi Marine Police earlier this month for operating the boat beyond its licensing as a ferrying vessel (story here).

“If Nikom Ocha, the owner, wants to go back to using the boat as a ferry, he is more than welcome to do so; we can’t ban him from the national park waters,” Mr Chaithat said. “However, we will be keeping a close eye on the boat. If they go back to the ‘fish pool’ business, we will take them to court.”

— Kongleaphy Keam