Thai authorities have demanded 12 million baht (over U$360,000 in US dollars) in damages from the owner of a Myanmar cargo ship for damage to coral reefs in Mu Ko Surin National Park, Thailand, after the sinking of a Myanmar cargo ship, according to a report by Khodsod English, a Thai news agency.
On June 1, a Myanmar cargo ship named MV.AYAR LINN collided with coral reefs in Mu Ko Surin National Park, on Thailand’s Andaman coast. The damage to the coral reefs is estimated at around 12 million baht, and Thai authorities are seeking compensation to help restore the coral reefs, the report said.
Mu Ko Surin National Park is home to Thailand’s largest coral reef and marine biodiversity. Director-General of the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department Charoenchansa of Thailand announced the damage caused by the incident on June 4, saying that around 150 square meters of coral reefs were destroyed and six species of coral were affected, the report said.
The ship is still aground, and there are concerns that more than 3,000 bags of cement on board could fall into the sea, causing an environmental hazard. Thai authorities said that the cargo on board was legitimate. The owner of the ship has not yet been contacted, and Thai authorities are trying to contact him, according to the report.
