Two foreigners have been arrested after posting a video on Facebook of themselves diving in a protected area off Koh Phangan island.
The video show the two men tickling marine creatures with a selfie stick and taking photos with them.
The clip went viral and drew criticism on social media.
Sophon Thongdee, director-general of marine and coastal resources, said the men had been named as Attila Ott, a diving instructor and owner of the Pink Panther Scuba Dive Club and Bar, and Francesco Simonetti, a chef at Il Barracuda Restaurant&BBQ, Koh Phangan. He has a speed boat and often takes his customers out diving.
Mr Sophon said the men had been held by Koh Phangan police and had admitted taking the video in an area off Salat beach, Koh Phangan, and posting it on YouTube.
Police charged the men with intruding in an area designated for environmental protection, an offence which carries a maximum fine of 100,000 baht and/or one year in prison.
Their licences as diving instructors and other documents were being examined.
