Coral Reef Damaged by Ship Grounding in Thai National Park

On June 1, the Myanmar-registered vessel Ayar Linn ran aground on a coral reef within Ao Jak Bay, part of Thailand’s Mu Koh Surin National Park.

The Director-General of Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) reported that the grounding inflicted significant damage to the reef. Preliminary evaluations indicate that approximately 150 square meters of coral—comprising six different species—were harmed.

Environmental concerns have intensified due to scattered debris now littering the reef. Among the items found are rubber hoses, cardboard boxes, pieces of fabric, tires, and other waste. Additionally, the vessel is transporting around 3,000 bags of cement, posing a heightened threat to the marine ecosystem if any of the cargo is lost to the ocean.

Authorities have suggested that the ship may have been evading Myanmar regulatory bodies, although this theory remains unverified. In response to the environmental impact, Thailand’s DNP is pursuing 12 million baht (around $366,600 USD) in compensation from the ship's owner, who has not yet issued a statement.

Efforts to recover the area have been challenged by persistent monsoon weather. As a result, the damaged reef zones will be temporarily off-limits to facilitate natural regeneration. Several Thai government agencies are actively working together to mitigate pollution risks, rehabilitate the site, and pursue legal accountability.