Three Chinese tourists face jail time in Thailand for waving starfish at the camera while diving
Three Chinese tourists who disturbed protected coral reef while diving and waved starfish for selfies face two years in prison in Thailand
- The divers were traveling from Koh Racha Island near the resort town of Phuket
- Images of them posing with starfish were posted by the ecogroup in Thailand
Three Chinese tourists who disturbed a protected coral reef while diving and waved starfish at a camera for selfies face up to two years in prison in Thailand.
The trio – all Chinese nationals – had been on an organized diving trip from the island of Koh Racha, near the resort town of Phuket.
Footage of them stepping onto the reef and holding the starfish surfaced when it was posted by a group monitoring eco-violations in Thailand.
In a Facebook post, Thailand’s Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-Archa said two individuals admitted to the crime after turning themselves in to police.
The third suspect is apparently missing, local media reported.
Three tourists who disturbed a protected coral reef while diving and waved starfish at a camera for selfies (pictured) face up to two years in prison in Thailand
To find the trio, officials worked with tourism police, the maritime bureau and the company that organized the trip.
If found guilty, the visitors face two years in prison and a fine of 200,000 Thai baht (GBP 4,460).
The two-month-old tour company that organized the trip apologized for the stunt.
The operator also pledged to raise awareness about not disturbing marine animals.
Some Thai social media users lashed out at “wild Chinese tour groups.”
The trio – all Chinese nationals – had been on an organized diving trip from the island of Koh Racha, near the resort town of Phuket. Footage of them stepping on the reef and holding the starfish surfaced when it was posted by a group monitoring eco-violations in Thailand
Others criticized dive instructors for not telling guests about the rules.
In 2020, two Chinese tourists were detained for using a harpoon gun to catch protected ornamental fish while snorkeling in central Thailand.
And in 2019, South Korean actress Lee Yeol-eum was charged with catching endangered giant clams in a Thai national marine park for a reality TV show.
Rising sea temperatures and rampant tourism have damaged more than three-quarters of Thailand’s coral reefs, according to marine experts.