Chinese Tourists Land in Jail for Damaging Choral Reefs in Thailand
During a diving trip in Phuket, Thailand, three Chinese tourists allegedly touched a starfish and stepped on coral reefs, violating a marine protection law and facing up to two years in prison.
According to the Bangkok Post, two were jailed after their selfie with a starfish went viral on social media. While diving off Koh Racha Yai, they stepped on coral reefs and held up starfish for selfies.
According to the police, a travel agency representative took Sanyang Qin and Wen Zhang to meet investigators at the Chalong station. On Thursday, three Chinese tourists were accused of holding up starfish and climbing on coral reefs to snap photographs while diving at Ao La off Koh Racha Yai.
An investigation conducted by the Phuket Marine and Coastal Resource Conservation Centre reveal...