Arrested divers deported from Thailand

The Thai authorities have decided to send out a serious warning to anyone who does not intend to respect the laws and rules of the country. This will be felt by two divers who have been arrested for trespassing in a protected area. The two men filmed themselves taking on endangered species of sea creatures, then shared their video online and… were arrested on the basis of it.

A Dutchman and a Hungarian were arrested and taken into custody after they caught and photographed a protected species of sea creature while diving in Koh Pha Ngan, in the southern province of Surat Thani.

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Probably everything could be explained by the fact of ignorance of regulations and protected species, but Nation Thailand reports that the detained Hungarian is not only a diving instructor, but also the owner of the Pink Panther diving centre, which is located on the island. In turn, the Dutchman detained with him is also a resident and works as a chef at one of the restaurants located on the island.

Now the Immigration Bureau has described the two divers as a “social threat”, revoked their visas and placed them on a blacklist ordering their immediate deportation.

The defendants pleaded guilty to the offence, which is punishable under local law by a fine of the equivalent of PLN 12 000 or one year’s imprisonment. In addition, one of the men and his wife have already been fined for immigration violations discovered during the investigation.

Colonel Suparoek Pankoson, head of the regional immigration police, told Thailand’s PBS news agency that the penalties are meant as a lesson to any divers who would carelessly interact with protected marine wildlife. He concluded by saying that Thailand always welcomes its visitors, including many divers, as long as they abide by the local laws.