A Dutchman has been arrested in Phuket on the charge of unlawfully catching parrotfish within the waters of Mu Koh Phi National Park in Krabi province, after a TikTok video of him spearfishing drew outrage from nearby residents.
National park authorities detained Roslan Benedia in Phuket upon Monday afternoon plus took him in for questioning, according to Natural Resources and Enviroment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, who posted the data on his TOP Varawut Facebook account.
The video showed the man with two endangered parrotfish and 3 other unidentified seafood and stabbing a lot eel. It was demonstrated on the TikTok accounts “@roslanofficial”.
Sophon Thongee, director-general of the Department of Marine plus Coastal Resources, acquired earlier said the video showed the man along with three parrotfish, two other fish, and stabbing a sea eel.
Mr Benedia allegedly informed police he had leased a boat to visit from Koh Phi Don to Koh Phi Leh in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Nationwide Park. The captain was Krisana Thodthing. He he leased a speargun from the local operator on Koh Phi Don and proceeded to go fishing at Koh Phi Leh around 1pm on Aug 9.
He said he was not aware the area was in the national park.
Police were preparing their case against the man, and said they would also take legal activity against the boat proprietor and the person who offered the speargun.