South
Foreign diver deported following eco-vandalism arrest off Koh Pha Ngan

Thai Immigration deported a foreign diver who was arrested in September for disturbing marine wildlife off Koh Pha Ngan. Photos and videos of himself and another diver holding, poking and tickling sea creatures were posted on Facebook, leading to their arrest.
Attila Ott, a Hungarian national and owner of the island’s Pink Panther Scuba Dive Club, was deported after his visa was revoked, according to director general of marine and coastal resources, Sophon Thongdee.
Both Attila and the other diver, Dutch-Italian Francesco Simonetti, were arrested on September 1 for disturbing wildlife in a protected area. Simonetti, who worked at the Barracuda restaurant on the island, is still in the country. He posted a 50,000 baht bail and lodged an appeal with the Immigration Bureau.
Surat Thani governor Witchawut Jinto says he is urging authorities to quickly close the case. In the future, tourists who visit the Surat Thani islands – Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao – will be warned not to disturb the environment.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Thailand
Strong surf hits Prachuap Khiri Khan beach

High waves, peaking at 2 to 4 metres, hit Prachuap Khiri Khan’s coastal beaches, gushing over the breakwater and flooding some spots of the beachside road.
Beachfront shops and restaurants have been temporarily closed while all on-water activities are prohibited in the affected areas. Over 100 fishing boats and small boats have moored in the areas around the Khao Ta Mong Lai Mountains to shelter from the strong winds.
Swimming and other water activities are prohibited at Bang Saphan district’s Ban Krut Beach, one of the province’s most popular tourist destinations, due to the dangerous conditions.
The Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor recently warned coastal residents about the potentially dangerous strong winds.
The Thai Meteorological Department issued warnings yesterday that the strong northeast monsoon that prevailed in the Gulf of Thailand and the South might cause strong winds and high waves.
SOURCE: Matichon Online
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
South
Thousands of people evacuated due to flood in deep south Thailand

Thousands of residents in Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat, in lower south of Thailand, evacuated their homes due to flash flooding from nearly a week of continuous heavy rain. Local authorities say a total of 18,024 households across 19 districts in the 3 provinces were affected.
In Yala, the continuous heavy rain throughout the week caused the Sai Buri River to burst its banks, flooding homes and farmland. The director of Yala’s Irrigation Project Office, Chusak Sutthi, says he’s worried about the low-lying areas, adding that the total amount of rainfall to date has broken the record set 10 years ago.
Yala governor, meanwhile, declared the 8 flood-hit districts the disaster zones. Landslides were also reported with no report of fatality or injuries.
In Songkhla, 2 districts were flooded by rainwater coming down from the mountain, while some residences and farmlands on riverbank areas of Narathiwat were flooded. Local government agencies said food and other aid were already sent to the affected areas.
Heavy downpours in the lower South were the result of a strong northeastern monsoon, which is covering the mainland and the Gulf of Thailand, as well as a low pressure system above Malaysia, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. The department also said that they are working with all parties concerned to urgently deliver aid to the affected residents.
SOURCE: Phuket News
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
South
Muslim couples in Yala who show affection could be arrested and forced to marry

Muslim unmarried couples in the southern Thai province of Yala could be arrested, and even forced to wed immediately by Islamic authorities, if they are seen being ‘affectionate’ in public. The new rule was set by the Yaha Central Mosque last month, according to Khaosod English.
It’s unclear what types of public displays of affection are considered inappropriate, but apparently even talking together can get a Muslim man and woman arrested. The imam of the Yaha Central Mosque told Khaosod English reporters that if a muslim man and woman are talking, then a third person should be present. Holding hands, kissing or hugging are strictly forbidden.
Under the new rule, unmarried Muslims are prohibited from displaying “actions of a couple” or “adulterous acts.” Those who break the rules can potentially be ordered to get married at the local mosque after a meeting with the parents and local Imam. Violators can also be arrested by police and charged for sexual obscenity which carries a maximum penalty of 5 to 20 years.
So far, no one has been arrested or forced to marry under the draconian local codes. A couple was seen whispering to each other in public, but the Imam says they were berated at the mosque and told “not to do it again”.
The restrictions were intended to keep teenagers out of trouble, a mosque committee member told Khaosod. Apparently, many teenagers in the area have been doing illicit drugs and drinking kratom. The committee member says some of their gatherings have even become violent and there was a shooting at a local gas station.
SOURCE: Khaosod English
Catch up with the latest daily “Thailand News Today” here on The Thaiger.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
- Phuket3 days ago
UPDATE: Confusion over Covid-19 tests for visa extensions
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago
Record number of tourism firms quitting Covid-ravaged sector for good
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
Covid-19 test NOT required for visa extensions (at least not today)
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago
Thailand’s tourism in the Covid 2021 era
- Protests2 days ago
Security guard slaps student for displaying protest sign at Bangkok mall – VIDEO
- Bangkok3 days ago
Man arrested for allegedly overstaying 60 day tourist visa by 7 years
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
AstraZeneca vaccine could be approved for emergency use in Thailand this week
- Bangkok2 days ago
Man arrested for allegedly importing millions of fake designer sunglasses
Toby Andrews
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 5:23 pm
Is this the place where Thai tourist trip boats smashed all the coral by dropping anchors?
Issan John
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 5:38 pm
No, that’s Maya Bay on Phi Phi, closed/off limits for five years.
Posting it on facebook, and making it clear where they were, these two should be deported for stupidity.
Slugger
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 5:47 pm
Nice try though.
At least its the Thais coral to smash.
Toldi
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 9:18 pm
Acccording to his facebook he is currently in a quarantine hotel in Bangkok
Mike
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 7:48 pm
That’s every single dive site in the country since the 1970’s.
RA
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 9:29 am
It’s not only Maya Bay as Issan John professes, again without facts. It happens everywhere, I’ve personally witnessed it while diving. Speed boat operators drop anchor anywhere they please. While diving in Bungalow Bay on Racha Yai I witness a operator drop anchor on the coral. I moved the anchor about 5 meters to the sand. The operator lifted the anchor and then tried to drop it on me, missing slightly. I went up to say something and he pulled a knife. The conversation ended at that point.
Rarely do the tour boat operators drop anchor in Maya Bay. They just drive up on the beach. The most damage there is done by the tourist walking on the coral. Vendors sell booties which makes it possible to walk on the coral as shown on a DW documentary on the area.
Toby Andrews
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 11:27 am
Thai Cants!
Toby Andrews
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 11:30 am
RA you should have stuck your harpoon in the bottom of his boat.
Sink the bar steward.
Issan John
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 1:16 pm
I never suggested it was “only Maya bay”, however that’s the only one that has been highlighted in the media.
That happens to be “fact”, unlike your comment which is anecdotal and, as far as “happens everywhere” goes clearly untrue.
As for Maya Bay and the boats, vendors, booties and tourists, it’s been closed since mid-2018 and will be closed at least into next year, which amply demonstrates the veracity of pretty much everything you write – pure fantasy.
Anonymous
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 5:32 pm
Seem very excessive. I guess they just wanted took his shop and all his belongings.
I can understand you wanna protect the submarine life but if it was his first failure ,a fine and a big warning would have been far enough. Revoked visa, lost shop and surely a lot belongings for the supposed “We want protect submarine life”, I don’t believe it.
Tourist will be warn… Yeah we can see since many years you really want protect the wild. Full moon party at Ko Phangan, you don’t need to dive to damage the life.
And as a diver, this guy surely gather lot of trash while diving…
This kind of story should make aware of people who think they can own a shop here or anything else.
Issan John
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 1:20 pm
He was given a 10,000 baht fine – nothing else.
Anything from Immigration was down to his breaking immigration law, NOT “tickling fish”.
Frank Leboeuf
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 2:22 pm
Thanks for clear that up – this important fact should made clear in the article itself, which reads that he was “deported after his visa was revoked” according to the “director general of marine and coastal resources”, which leads us readers to deduct that this was part of the penalty.
Misleading and polarising…
It’s a good thing the deportation was unrelated.
A 10K fine is quite moderate (it’s 2K for smoking in the national parks if I’m not mistaken) – it would have been couple with the suspension of a licence to operate in quite a few places…
Issan John
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 3:36 pm
It was clear in the original / source article.
Frank Leboeuf
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 4:29 pm
Maybe, but too bad it isn’t in the copy we’re responding to here.
Not too sure what to make of this decision to leave this crucial part of information out to be honest…
Anyway a 10K fine is more than normal.
If deportation was actually part of the penalty, it would have been harsh, but also understandable, especially if the visa/work permit was linked to running this dive operation – it’s quite common to lose operating licences for environmental infractions elsewhere.
Too bad for them it caught up with them for other loose ends…
Toby Andrews
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 6:03 pm
Oh my mistake. It seems a bit harsh though, being deported for tickling fish.
Alte Ledertasche
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 7:18 pm
Its ridiculous but thats Land of Scam.
Issan John
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 9:04 pm
He was deported by Thai Immigration, nothing directly to do with any court appearance or fish tickling.
Immigration probably looked into his work permit and dive school, which evidently employs several farangs as dive instructors, and his bar, and found fault there.
Stupid to draw attention to himself unnecessarily, putting and end to his time here and a good business.
Issan John
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 9:10 pm
Sorry, I should have added that the penalty from the court for the fish tickling was a 10,000 baht fine, nothing more.
The deportation was a separate issue, purely down to his immigration status which Thai immigration could hardly have ignored once he drew attention to himself.
Frank Leboeuf
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 9:03 am
That does make more sense then, if the deportation was unrelated to the fish tickling.
A 10K fine sounds reasonable, especially given the bad publicity this would have brought.
Toby Andrews
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 11:25 am
No I disagree. A B10000 fine for tickling fish is ludicrous!
If a fellow cannot go out and tickle a few fish without breaking Thai law, this country has reached a new low.
Still, these peasants can probably go lower yet in their grubby greedy pursuit of looting the foreigners.
Frank Leboeuf
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 1:12 pm
I don’t think it is ridiculous, a 10K is quite cheap actually.
In French National Parks for instance, on top of a fine, he would have been given had his licence to operate in the National Park temporarily revoked, usually 30 days, with a stark warning that it would be fully revoked on the next offence.
10K is peanuts, 2/3 Open Water courses, a couple of fun-diving customers…
Fabian
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 7:01 pm
It’s good they do that. But since the tourists have gone a lot of fishing is going on around popular dive sites in Phuket/Krabi. Fishing cages near or on top of reefs, and in the King Cruiser Wreck near Phi Phi islands. It causes a lot of damage but the marine police is nowhere to be found.
Frank Leboeuf
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 9:00 am
Yes, absolutely. I think most people who know the diving industry in Thailand would welcome strict enforcement of existing standards and laws, but with some coherence.
Deporting a foreigner for handling marine life while letting the fishing fleets do heavier damage on a regular basis, and allowing multiple other infractions, pollution etc, is simply not giving a good image of the authorities that are, or should be involved.
Issan John
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 1:22 pm
He wasn’t deported “for handling marine life”.
Frank Leboeuf
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Yes, I saw your correction since I’d posted this.
10K is a normal fine, actually on the low side compared to what he would have faced for similar behaviour in other places. In France for instance, on top of the fine his licence to operate in the national park would have been suspended temporarily (30 days or so, tough in high season…), and definitively for a repeat offense.
!0K is peanuts, it’s what dive operations cherge for a couple of courses or bringing a few customers fun diving for a day…
Issan John
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 3:40 pm
Thanks for applying some common sense here, Frank – few here manage to get off the outrage bus once they’ve jumped on and it’s up and running!
James Pate
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 7:05 pm
Just plain stupid. He’s a diving professional. Maybe we could forgive an ignorant tourist. Posting it? Double stupid!
Issan John
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 1:28 pm
Exactly – it doesn’t get much more stupid.
The two of them were living their dream lives, with successful businesses which had 5* reviews, then they screwed it up.
They’ve no-one to blame but themselves but somehow some commenting here twist the facts to blame “the Thais”.
Par for the course.
Frank Leboeuf
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 7:14 pm
meanwhile on Netflix, a guy fondles his “Octopus Teacher” and is a big hit…
They clearly did wrong, and deserved to be made an example, like the idiots who drove a scooter into Balinese waters for instagram likes last week.
Deportation is probably a little over the top, but if they wanted to make an example, why not, guy owns and runs a dive shop, not exactly role model behaviour.
Too bad the Thai system is not so reactive when it comes to major infractions to national parks rules commited on a daily basis in front of national park rangers…
An example? In the Similan and Surin National Parks, rules stipulate that divers should be brought to the dive sites using dinghies (smaller craft), and that large boats a not allowed to manoeuvre near the dive site for basic safety reasons.
Take a dive trip and you’ll see maybe two or three boats using dinghies, the rest vomitting divers onto the dive sites directly fron the big boats out of pure laziness. We have pictures, videos, alas… Same goes for fishing infractions and many, oh so many more…
But yeah, don’t touch marine life, please.
Mike
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 8:02 pm
Thai hypocrisy! Hope the divers can set up somewhere some country without such bullshit double standards
Ray
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 9:05 pm
Perhaps hid first name was working against him.
Roger C
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 9:13 pm
Deportation seems a bit extreme.
Issan John
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:36 pm
Francesco’s restaurant, Il Barracuda, has some seriously good reviews on TripAdvisor but unfortunately they also make it clear that he wasn’t just working there as a chef but was also the owner and catching his own fish locally every day on his dives.
Immigration may take a dimmer view than his customers.
Ian
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 2:51 am
Just shows you how fragile your status is in Thailand he’s been stupid but to take his business and deport very extreme but who can guess this country this is why I won’t invest 1 baht in it .just come enjoy as long as i can ,any farang with business property ECT you live on a knife edge everyday your only as good as that visa and that’s fragile if you upset the wrong people and they want farang to invest what a joke
Fabian
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 12:08 pm
You might say deportation is a bit extreme. But mr. Ott is not just a diver, he is a scuba shop owner. While posting pictures of harassing sea creatures he sets a very bad example. Touching marine life can be dangerous for the creature as well as for the diver. Most dive companies I know will emphasize to their customers that they should leave the marine life alone and that they can risk a penalty if they don’t. Mr. Ott should be very well aware of the risks of disrespecting the marine life.
harry1
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 12:26 pm
so he get deported and loses his diving business for tickling a fish,yet sea captains anchor on coral,run over dolphin and swimmers,crash into each other,make a wai and all is forgiven ?
Issan John
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 3:51 pm
God almighty – he DIDN’T “get deported and loses his diving business for tickling a fish”. 🙁
He was deported for breaking immigration law, which Immigration had previously turned a blind eye to although he plastered it all over YouTube and his website and it’s unavoidably clear from TripAdvisor.
Under the circumstances, once he’d hit the media with his stupudity, even Thai Immigration couldn’t turn a blind eye any more.
If he’d been doing the same thing in the West he’d have been slung out and those complaining about it here would have been the the first to applaud it.
Issan John
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 1:54 pm
Of course it’s “fragile” if you break immigration law and do so quite so blatantly!
… of course you “live on a knife edge” if you not only break immigration law but you do so not just openly but you splash what you’re doing all over the internet.
All Immigration had to do once their attention had been drawn to it was to look at his website, the videos he made and posted on YouTube himself, and TripAdvisor.
How could they continue to turn a blind eye under those circumstances?
However good his business was (and it was evidently well run) it was 100% illegal under Immigration law, and while they’d let him get away with it before (there’s no way they could not have known) how could they continue to do so once it was in the media spotlight?
If he’d done the same thing anywhere in the West, running a business illegally and been caught, he’d have been deported in just the same way.
Preesy Chepuce
Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 2:41 pm
I think what people object to is the parading of someone like a prize marlin, whatever the facts of the case are, it undermines investor confidence in the place. It would be better PR to let people do some kind of community work to redeem themselves. It’d also be better PR to be prosecuting locals who damage the environment. As you can see from this story, people don’t read, and go away feeling like there are double standards and that foreigners aren’t welcome etc… whilst that may not be true, that’s what people feel, and what people feel tends to translate into economics.
Bunga
Friday, December 18, 2020 at 2:06 am
Well done Thailand.
Such persons do not belong there, canceling his Visa and take his shop was the right thing.
To all the others who like to touch, be warned….