Jet Ski riders apologize for riding a whale shark

CHUMPHON, Sept 25 (TNA) – A group of tourists apologized for touching and riding a whale shark and said they deserved punishment. The group posted the apology online following strong criticisms against a posted 1.16-minute-long video clip of the group of 5-8 tourists traveling on Jet Ski boats happily touching and riding a whale shark in the sea off Chumphon province. The approach prompted the whale shark to escape. The clip was removed within less than an hour after being posted and the apology message read the tourists had not known about any conservation rules. The group said they would be cooperative with any punishment measures. Rakpong Boonyoi, chief of the Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, said tourists were banned from touching a whale shark and using flashes because whale sharks were sensitive to light. Tourists must stay 3-4 meters away from the animals and any boats must be kept 20 meters away from them. Tourists were also banned from diving and hitting water because that would disturb whale sharks. Any objects must not be dropped in the sea; otherwise, whale sharks would swallow them, Mr Rakpong said. Officials of the national park would identify the group of tourists and take legal action, he said. (TNA)