Oil Spill Hits Thai Tourist Beaches
An oil spill from a cargo ship has affected Phuket's Ya Nui Beach and nearby islands. Authorities are conducting cleanup efforts, but visitors should check local advisories for beach safety and environmental updates.
The sunken vessel is the Panama-flagged cargo ship, Sealloyd Arc, which went down on February 7, 2026, about five miles southeast of Phuket. The ship was carrying approximately 98 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 32 tonnes of marine diesel, in addition to nearly 300 containers. It took nearly three weeks for the oil to start washing ashore in significant quantities, with tar balls and oil clumps first reported on February 25 at Kahang Beach on Koh Hey (Coral Island). The spill has since impacted other parts of Racha Island, including Patok Bay and Siam Bay, as well as Phuket's Ya Nui Beach. Cleanup operations are being led by the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC) and the Royal Thai Navy. However, efforts have been hampered by a shortage of containment booms and the vessel's depth of 61 meters, which complicates diving operations to seal the leak. Local residents and business operators have joined the cleanup, manually removing oil from the beaches with buckets and rakes. There is significant concern about the long-term damage to Phuket's tourism image, as some visitors have inadvertently stepped in or sat on the bunker oil. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has warned that even small amounts of oil toxins can damage sensitive marine ecosystems, including the valuable coral reefs in the affected areas. The use of chemical dispersants by the navy is also a concern for marine biologists, as it can push the oil deeper into the marine environment. This is not an isolated incident for the nation. Between 2017 and 2021, Thailand recorded 130 oil spills affecting more than 23 provinces, raising ongoing concerns about maritime safety and environmental protection.
