Fury over diver’s vandalism of coral in Similan

[webfact]

Fury over diver’s vandalism of coral in Similan
By THE NATION

 

Photo from : www.kapook.com

 

BANGKOK: -- LOCAL RESIDENTS have called on authorities to get stricter with dive operators after Korean letters were found inscribed on a coral skeleton off the Similan Islands in Phang Nga province.

 

The vandalised lesser-brain coral, or leptoria phrygia, was found at a depth of 20 metres and west of the Similan Islands. 

 

Three large Korean characters were found inscribed on the coral, reading “Park Yong-soo”, which appears to be a person’s name. 

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30303142

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-12-30

[craigt3365]

The diver masters would probably have seen this happening, but like in other cases, did nothing.  Sick people.

[Lupatria]

Where is the fury about Thai individuals and companies dumping trash in the ocean on a daily routine?

[Sphere]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Korean letters were found inscribed on a coral skeleton....

 

Thai and Chinese translations should appear there soon.....

[Oziex1]

The lesser brain coral, well that fits!

[ChakaKhan]

Of course keep ignoring the blades of the long boats destroying coral,

or the petrol from boats spewing oil and whatnot into the waters, all

in the name of profits.....cant write on coral if thais dont take them to it...

 

Shame on the korean tagger too...

[licka]

1 hour ago, Oziex1 said:

The lesser brain coral, well that fits!

It should have had a sign on it written in Thai  saying " Don't write on the coral "  

[Enoon]

These days are gone. Everybody gets to travel now:

 

 

[Elkski]

Sad

[ocddave]

 

Quote

Three large Korean characters were found inscribed on the coral, reading “Park Yong-soo”, which appears to be a person’s name. 

 

I hate to state the obvious, but have they checked that name with Korean people who visited LOS yet, especially those who paid to go diving?

[DM07]

"Some foreigner did it!" >finger pointing< "We are outraged!"

"You put your garbage everywhere, including the ocean!"

"Mai bpen rai!"

[hanssna]

Strange ( and too bad ) that there were no 'farang' dive Instructors ( like me ) around that saw this...   around this time of year, it can get busy around the Similan Islands. I have seen many Asian divers in the water, and many times I had to pull them out of the reef, because of very poor diving skills. But this deliberate damage really takes the cake.

[plachon]

8 hours ago, hanssna said:

Strange ( and too bad ) that there were no 'farang' dive Instructors ( like me ) around that saw this...   around this time of year, it can get busy around the Similan Islands. I have seen many Asian divers in the water, and many times I had to pull them out of the reef, because of very poor diving skills. But this deliberate damage really takes the cake.

As a dive instructor, perhaps you can tell me if the coral in the photo looks healthy or not. To me it looks pretty dead and lifeless, including the sea around it, but maybe that is how much of the Similan coral reef looks these days? And on a connected note, has the Similans been affected much by coral bleaching or die-off from ocean acidification, as with the northern Great Barrier Reef and many other reefs, so I understand? In other words, discounting idiots scratching their names on the reef, how does it match up as a dive site these days, compared to other coral reefs in SE Asia?

[craigt3365]

4 hours ago, plachon said:

As a dive instructor, perhaps you can tell me if the coral in the photo looks healthy or not. To me it looks pretty dead and lifeless, including the sea around it, but maybe that is how much of the Similan coral reef looks these days? And on a connected note, has the Similans been affected much by coral bleaching or die-off from ocean acidification, as with the northern Great Barrier Reef and many other reefs, so I understand? In other words, discounting idiots scratching their names on the reef, how does it match up as a dive site these days, compared to other coral reefs in SE Asia?

I've not been in a few years, but the Similan's is an amazing dive area.  Pristine and full of sea life.  I've been all over the world diving and it was really good.  Live aboards are the way to go.  I've not been there in several years though...

[daveAustin]

Yes, sad, some people really are mouth-breathers. Only one thing to do, make everyone suffer by closing it all down... we are not worthy. 

[lucifer666]

The Barrier Reef in Aus looks exactly the same

[stevenl]

As a dive instructor, perhaps you can tell me if the coral in the photo looks healthy or not. To me it looks pretty dead and lifeless, including the sea around it, but maybe that is how much of the Similan coral reef looks these days? And on a connected note, has the Similans been affected much by coral bleaching or die-off from ocean acidification, as with the northern Great Barrier Reef and many other reefs, so I understand? In other words, discounting idiots scratching their names on the reef, how does it match up as a dive site these days, compared to other coral reefs in SE Asia?

Yes, that coral looks healthy, and it is impossible to see enough of the sea behind it to say anything about how healthy that looks.
In general similans etc. can not stand up to e.g. Raja Ampat, but offers still very nice diving. The Andaman sea in general offers the best diving Thailand has to offer, with some really nice divesites and is definitely worth it.

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