Phuket police hunt spearfishing suspects as foreign crime tally reaches 3,484
1- Police hunt Chinese tourists over parrotfish spearfishing at Kata
Phuket police are hunting suspects after a parrotfish spearfishing case at Kata, according to a Phuket Xtra report published Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The same roundup reported that 3,484 foreign suspects have been recorded in criminal cases since 2025, linking a marine enforcement case with a broader crime snapshot.
Kata spearfishing case centers on Chinese tourists
The report identified the spearfishing suspects as Chinese tourists.
It said police were pursuing them over parrotfish spearfishing at Kata, a case that has drawn attention because parrotfish are a highly visible reef species.
The item was featured as the lead segment in the May 12 Phuket Xtra video bulletin hosted by JP Mestanza and published by The Phuket News at 5:51pm.
Crime data and infrastructure issues also featured
The same news roundup said Phuket has recorded 3,484 foreign suspects in criminal cases since 2025.
Other items in the bulletin widened the focus beyond policing. One report said Phuket topped southern provinces in electricity demand and is moving ahead with a B1 billion substation push.
The program also included a police clarification of a viral abduction case.
Another segment reported that new online rules are being introduced to target scam adverts.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-xtra-video-phuket-spearfishing-scandal-police-hunting-suspects-3-484-foreign-crimes-reported-may-12-100210.php
