PHUKET, THAILAND – Phuket continued to battle oil pollution around Mu Koh Racha weeks after the freighter SEALLOYD ARC sank, as authorities reported cleanup progress but warned of potential long-term damage to marine ecosystems and tourism.
Wreck and persistent oil slicks
The Panama-flagged container ship SEALLOYD ARC sank on 7 February between Phromthep Cape and Koh Kaeo Noi at a depth of around 61 metres, carrying 297 containers. According to officials, significant quantities of heavy fuel oil still remained inside the vessel.
Specialists from the Mu Koh Racha Marine Protected Area Management Centre and the Phuket Marine Resources Conservation Centre reported that oil streaks were still rising to the surface above the accident site as of Thursday. These visible traces indicated that the wreck continued to pose a pollution risk despite ongoing efforts to contain it.
Contaminated beaches near Mu Koh Racha
The worst-affected site was Patok Bay (Ao Plabpla), where dense, concentrated oil slicks were detected along the waterline in front of The Racha hotel’s beachfront. The contamination directly impacted one of the area’s key tourist beaches.
In the bays of Ao Tue, Ao La and Ao Siam, tar-like clumps were found in scattered patches on sandy stretches and along rocky shorelines. The combination of floating slicks and stranded residues raised concerns about lingering pollution even after initial cleanups.
Impact on Coral Island and response measures
Emergency teams also recorded traces of contamination along an approximately 80–100 metre section of Kahang Beach on Coral Island (Koh Hae). The affected shoreline disrupted local tourism operators and triggered intensified beach cleaning operations.
In response, Thai-MECC Region 3 coordinated with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and other agencies to deploy coastal cleanup teams. Authorities installed oil booms to prevent the pollution from drifting toward popular beaches such as Nai Harn, Rawai and Kata.
Delayed diving mission and long-term risks
After delays caused by cost negotiations between the shipowner and underwater specialist firms, expert divers carried out a mission yesterday to seal leaks at the wreck. The operation aimed to reduce the risk of further heavy fuel releases from the sunken vessel.
Officials stressed that the beaches of Coral Island were now considered back to normal and that there was currently no immediate danger to residents or visitors. At the same time, they said close monitoring would continue in order to assess long-term impacts on Phuket’s fragile marine and coastal ecosystems.
Oil off dream beaches – how big is the threat?
A sunken freighter, leaking heavy oil and polluted bays appeared just off some of Thailand’s best-known holiday beaches. Authorities installed barriers, divers sealed leaks and shorelines were cleaned in an effort to restore the image of pristine seas.
Open questions nevertheless remained over how severely the sensitive ecosystem would suffer in the long run and what consequences might emerge for tourists and local businesses. The incident highlighted the tension between environmental protection and tourism-dependent economies in coastal regions like Phuket.