PHUKET: Local authorities and residents were working to remove oil slicks and tar balls from four beaches in Sirinat National Park in Thalang district.
National park chief Sorasak Rananan said he was alerted by the station chief of Layan Beach on Friday about the presence of oil slicks and tar balls along Nai Yang, Mai Khao, Nai Thon and Layan beaches on the northwest of the island.
He said hotel staff from Angsana Laguna Hotel spotted a sea turtle hatchling covered in crude oil on Bang Tao Beach. Officials from the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre were sent to help the turtle, he said.
He said the removal of the oil slicks continued until yesterday, with the help of park officials, lifeguards and residents. The national park has warned tourists against coming to the four beaches, he said.
Capt Krit Kluebmat, deputy director of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (Thai-MECC) in Phuket, said the oil slicks -- which may be diesel fuel -- were also spotted around Khok Kloi in Phangnga, north of Phuket.
He said he has instructed the Phuket Marine Office to inspect maritime route data between Phangnga and Phuket over the past seven days to identify who dumped the oil.
A complaint will also be filed with Sakhu Police to track down the wrongdoers, he said.
Capt Pichet Songtan, director of Thai-MECC Region 3's Public Affairs Division, said units were deployed to the four beaches to remove the oil slicks and collect samples for a lab test to determine the type of oil.
The results are expected within seven days, he said.
He urged tourists to be aware of the oil slicks spotted on the beaches, stretching many kilometres from tambon Khuekkhak in Takua Pa district of Phangnga to Patong Beach in Phuket.
The Royal Thai Navy sent a helicopter to find signs of oil on the water's surface but there wasn't any, he said.
Adul Raluekmun, a boat inspector with the Phuket Marine Office, said a lab test will help identify the type of boat travelling on the route.
Those found guilty of violating Section 119 of the law on boat navigation in Thai waters by polluting the environment and obstructing boat navigation face a sentence of up to three years in jail and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht.