Ao Kung Bay marina opponents allege coral and mangrove damage

A Phuket MP says evidence gathered in Ao Kung Bay points to a rich marine ecosystem at risk from a proposed marina project, while also alleging damage to nearby mangrove forests.

Mr Somchart said he and local fishermen recently conducted a boat survey in the “Ta Chaeng” and “Rong Nam Thip” areas of Ao Kung Bay. He said they documented red coral, gorgonians and feeding grounds previously visited by dugongs.

He warned that dredging and large-scale construction linked to the marina proposal could devastate marine habitats, destroy fish nurseries and permanently prevent dugongs from returning to the area.

Mr Somchart also said villagers had reported attempts by investors to encroach on surrounding mangrove forests by secretly poisoning trees and cutting down large mangroves believed to be more than 150 years old.

“The most disheartening aspect of this field survey is what is happening on land,” Mr Somchart said in a statement posted online. “Secretly poisoning and cutting down 150-year-old trees is an inhumane act for personal gain in the project.”

He further questioned the transparency of the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment, saying local residents insisted they had never been properly included in any public hearing process.

Mr Somchart said the National Human Rights Commission had previously opposed the project and called for a full investigation into whether legal procedures had been properly followed.

He said he would immediately submit evidence, including photographs of coral reefs, information on dugongs and evidence of mangrove destruction, to a parliamentary committee and relevant agencies for investigation.

The allegations come amid growing community opposition to the marina proposal in Ao Kung Bay. Earlier this month, residents met with Mr Somchart to voice concerns that the project was advancing without meaningful public consultation and could severely affect fishing grounds relied on by communities in Phuket and neighbouring provinces including Krabi and Satun.

Mr Somchart had previously said he would investigate both the EIA approval process and the project’s potential environmental impact on coastal and marine resources, adding that development must go hand in hand with sustainability and public consent.