Oil spill from cargo ship washes up on Thai islands

Bunker oil from a sunken Panama flagged cargo ship had reached the shores of Koh He, Thailand, threatening one of Phuket’s snorkeling destinations. The delayed response, coupled with shifting winds, has pushed semi-solid oil clumps and sludge onto pristine beaches.

 Local business operators expressed grave concern that the spill could damage Phuket’s long-term tourism image. Authorities are closely monitoring weather patterns, as further shifts could push the spill toward major hubs such as Rawai and NaiHarn beaches. Despite the environmental threat, officials have yet to formally declare a disaster zone or close the affected shorelines.