PHUKET, THAILAND – Images shared online allegedly showed a tour boat crew throwing trash into the sea off Phuket, prompting calls for an official investigation near the mouth of the Tha-Chin Canal.
Incident off the coast of Phuket
Since 1 April 2026, photos circulated on social networks that were said to depict illegal dumping of waste at sea off the coast of Phuket. According to the report, the suspected incident took place in waters off the province.
The location was described as an area near the mouth of the Tha-Chin Canal, where tour boats usually operate. The images were reported to have been taken in this busy maritime zone.
What the images were said to show
The report referred to four photos showing two men on board a boat. They were allegedly seen throwing objects overboard into the sea.
The boat was said to be in the area of the Rassada subdistrict in Mueang Phuket district at the time. No further details were provided about the type of waste or the quantity involved in the alleged dumping.
Calls for official investigation
Following publication of the images, relevant agencies were urged to look into the case. The key questions included whether the pictures really showed waste disposal and who might be responsible.
Possible investigative steps could involve identifying the boat and its crew and checking for potential breaches of environmental regulations. The brief report did not specify any concrete actions taken by the authorities so far.
Tourism and environment: A sensitive issue in Phuket
Phuket was described as one of Thailand’s most important tourism regions, with the sea forming a crucial basis for both the economy and nature. Allegations of pollution linked to boats therefore attracted strong public attention.
In heavily frequented coastal areas, waste in the water could harm beaches, marine life and the overall image of the destination. The report did not provide additional figures or assessments, but underlined the sensitivity of the issue.
Role of social media in exposing cases
The circulation of the images online illustrated how quickly alleged environmental offences could become public. Such posts often increased pressure on authorities and operators to respond.
At the same time, the report stressed the need to verify the place and context of material shared on the internet. It mentioned an assumed location and time, but no independent confirmation of the authenticity of the photos.