Phuket diving to be regulated

ACHADTAYA CHUENNIRAN

Phuket _ The provincial administration is to regulate local diving businesses in response to complaints that foreign operators have been exploiting the Andaman coastal provinces' marine resources. Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit said a committee comprising representatives from relevant authorities would be set up to outline regulations to govern diving businesses in the province.
The move was in response to recent e-mail complaints urging the provincial administration to regulate local diving businesses which have been dominated by foreign operators.
Mr Niran said currently there are no specific laws and regulations to control the businesses.
Some foreign diving instructors also doubled as tour guides, in violation of the Tour Guide Act which states that the profession is reserved for Thai nationals. Mr Niran admitted that provincial officials were focusing on tourism promotion and tourism facility development and often failed to curb tourism activities that could have a negative impact on natural resources.

Bangkok Post