SpearfishingMap

Thailand

Asia · South-Eastern Asia

Recreational spearfishing is legal in Thailand in open coastal and inland waters and does not require a recreational fishing licence. However it is heavily restricted: it must be done on breath-hold (apnea/freediving) only — using scuba or other underwater breathing apparatus while spearfishing is prohibited by community practice and is not permitted in protected areas. Spearfishing (and all fishing) is banned inside Thailand's marine national parks and aquatic-species sanctuaries. Use of explosives, poison/intoxicating substances and electric current is criminally prohibited under the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015). Protected/rare aquatic animals (e.g. whale shark, sea turtles, manta rays, sawfish, giant clams) and aquatic mammals (e.g. dugong, dolphins) must not be taken. Enforcement is uneven, and the area falls in a legal grey zone for casual recreational use; commercial taking and sale require appropriate fisheries licensing.

Restricted
DatatillförlitlighetMedelhög tillförlitlighet

Senast uppdaterad juni 15, 2026

Styrande regelverk

  • §Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015) (พระราชกำหนดการประมง พ.ศ. 2558), as amended by the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries (No. 2) B.E. 2560 (2017)
  • §National Park Act B.E. 2562 (2019) (and predecessor National Park Act B.E. 2504 (1961))
  • §Wild Animal Conservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) (WARPA)
Licens krävs
Krävs inte
Harpungevär
Tillåtet
Dyk med tub
Förbjudet
Utlänningar
Välkomna

Lagen, ordagrant

Lagtexter

De exakta författnings- och regleringsbestämmelser som styr harpunfiske här, citerade som de publicerats, med en länk till varje officiell källa.

01Section 60Thailand · national

Prohibition on use of electric current and explosives in a fishing ground

Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015)

ENÖversatt

Section 60. No person shall use electrical currents for fishing purposes or explosives in a fishing ground. Exemptions to the prohibition on the use of explosives in fishing grounds may be granted for the benefit of public service for which permission in writing must have been obtained from the Director-General, in which case preventive undertakings must have been implemented to preempt undue damage to the aquatic animals concerned. The provision under paragraph one shall not apply to the use of explosives for the benefit of military public service.

02Section 58Thailand · national

Prohibition on intoxicating / poisoning and polluting a fishing ground

Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015)

ENÖversatt

Section 58. No person shall engage in the following acts: (1) releasing, pouring, disposing of, discharging or causing the passage of hazardous matters as prescribed by the Minister into a fishing ground; (2) acting in whichever way to cause the intoxication of aquatic animals in a fishing ground; (3) releasing, pouring, disposing of, discharging or causing the passage of any particular thing into a fishing ground in a manner harmful to aquatic animals; (4) causing a fishing ground to be polluted such that it becomes harmful to aquatic animals. The provisions under paragraph one shall not apply to unavoidable acts for the benefit of military public service.

03Section 56Thailand · national

Prohibition on catching aquatic animals in an aquatic species sanctuary

Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015)

ENÖversatt

Section 56. No person shall catch aquatic animals in an aquatic species sanctuary as prescribed by the Minister or by the provincial fisheries committee subject to the approval of the Minister, except for the purposes of academic advancement or for the purposes of the nurturing of aquatic animal breeds for which permission in writing has been granted by the Director-General or a person assigned by the Director-General. There shall be attached to a notification determining any aquatic species sanctuary pursuant to paragraph one a map delineating the areas prescribed thereby.

04Section 66Thailand · national

Prohibition on catching aquatic mammals, rare and near-extinct aquatic animals

Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015)

ENÖversatt

Section 66. No person shall catch aquatic mammals, rare aquatic animals or aquatic animals near extinction as prescribed by the Minister or take any such aquatic animal on board a fishing vessel, except where it is necessary to do so in order to save the life thereof.

05Section 70Thailand · national

Prohibition on fishing during spawning / protected periods

Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015)

ENÖversatt

Section 70. No person shall engage in a fishing operation during a season of aquatic animals' ovulation and egg-spawning, larvae rearing or during any other period of time designated for the protection of aquatic animals as prescribed by the Minister.

06Section 5 (Definitions)Thailand · national

Definition of "Fishing"

Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015)

ENÖversatt

"Fishing" means to search, attract, catch, take or harvest fish or any activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the attracting, catching, taking or harvesting of fish at a fishing ground.

07Section 16 (2), (3), (15)Thailand · national

Prohibited acts within a national park — taking animals and natural resources

National Park Act B.E. 2504 (1961) (substantially carried over into National Park Act B.E. 2562 (2019))

ENÖversatt

Section 16. Within a national park, no person shall: ... (2) collect, take out, or do by any means whatsoever things endangering or deteriorating woody plant, gum, yang wood oil, turpentine, mineral or other natural resources; (3) take out animals or do by any means whatsoever things endangering the animals; ... (15) take in any gear for hunting or catching animal or any weapon, unless permission is obtained from the competent official and the conditions prescribed by the latter have been complied with.

08Section 24Thailand · national

Penalty for prohibited acts within a national park

National Park Act B.E. 2504 (1961)

ENÖversatt

Any person who violates section 16 (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand Baht or to both.

När du får dyka

Säsonger & tidsbegränsningar

Fredningstider, öppna och begränsade perioder över året. Bekräfta alltid artspecifika fredningar lokalt.

jan
feb
mar
apr
maj
jun
jul
aug
sep
okt
nov
dec
FredningstidBegränsatÖppet
  • FredningstidMu Ko Similan and Mu Ko Surin marine national parks (Andaman Sea)maj 16 – okt 14

    Similan and Surin marine national parks close annually to all visitors (and all fishing) from 16 May to 14 October for monsoon season and ecosystem recovery. Spearfishing is prohibited inside these parks year-round regardless.

  • BegränsatAquatic animals during spawning / protected periods designated by the Ministerunknown – unknown

    Under Section 70 of the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries, fishing is prohibited during designated spawning/larvae-rearing seasons or other protection periods prescribed by Ministerial notification. Specific dates vary by area and species and are set by notification (e.g. Gulf of Thailand seasonal closures for spawning).

Tillstånd att fiska

Licens

Vad du behöver för att få vara i vattnet, vad det kostar och hur du skaffar det.

Ingen licens krävsvia Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives)
Ingen licens krävs
Typ
No recreational fishing/spearfishing licence
Kostnad
None for recreational use
Giltighet
n/a
Hur du skaffar den
No recreational spearfishing or rod-fishing licence is required in Thailand's public waters for tourists or Thai nationals. Commercial fishing/taking for sale requires appropriate fisheries licensing from the Department of Fisheries. Private fishing parks charge their own fees, and access to some areas (e.g. navy zones) may require permission.
Myndighet
Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives)

Utrustning & teknik

Utrustningsregler

Vilken utrustning som är tillåten, hur den får användas och vilka villkor som gäller.

HarpungevärTillåtet
Dyk med tubFörbjudet

Restriktioner

  • Spearfishing must be done on breath-hold (apnea/freediving); using scuba or underwater breathing apparatus while spearfishing is not permitted (community/operator practice; banned outright in protected areas).
  • Use of explosives in a fishing ground is criminally prohibited (Royal Ordinance on Fisheries, Section 60).
  • Use of electric current for fishing is prohibited (Section 60).
  • Causing intoxication/poisoning of aquatic animals or polluting a fishing ground is prohibited (Section 58).
  • Secondary sources report that chemicals, explosives and live-fish catch pouches/bags are prohibited by law.
  • Bringing hunting/catching gear or weapons into a national park is prohibited without permission (National Park Act, Section 16(15)).

Spearguns are generally sold and used legally in most Thai provinces for recreational apnea spearfishing. The scuba prohibition is widely reported by dive/spearfishing operators and is reinforced by strong opposition from the dive-tourism community; it is also effectively absolute inside marine national parks where all fishing is banned.

Vad du får ta

Fångstbegränsningar & skyddade arter

Dagliga kvoter, minimimått och arter som aldrig får tas.

Daglig gräns

No published recreational daily bag limit for general species; commercial catch is regulated separately by the Department of Fisheries.

Skyddade arter — får inte tas

  • SkyddadWhale shark (Rhincodon typus) — nationally protected
  • SkyddadManta rays — nationally protected
  • SkyddadSawfish — nationally protected
  • SkyddadSea turtles (all species)
  • SkyddadDugong and dolphins (aquatic mammals — Section 66, Royal Ordinance on Fisheries)
  • SkyddadGiant clams (Tridacna spp.)
  • SkyddadRare / near-extinct aquatic animals as prescribed by the Minister (Section 66)

Aquatic mammals and rare/near-extinct aquatic animals may not be caught (Royal Ordinance on Fisheries, Section 66). Whale sharks, manta rays and sawfish are listed as protected under Thailand's wildlife protection legislation (WARPA / Wild Animal Conservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562). Secondary spearfishing sources strongly advise against targeting sharks, parrotfish, triggerfish, surgeonfish, sweetlips and other reef fish, and to focus on pelagics such as mackerel, trevally, queenfish, tuna, wahoo, snapper and barracuda. Specific minimum-size limits are set by Ministerial/Departmental notification and were not retrieved verbatim.

Vem som får fiska

Besökare & bofasta

Hur reglerna skiljer sig för utländska besökare och lokalt bofasta.

Utländska besökare

Tillåtet

Restriktioner

  • Same rules as residents: apnea only, no scuba spearfishing.
  • No spearfishing in marine national parks or aquatic species sanctuaries.
  • No taking of protected/rare species.
  • Enforcement is uneven and spearfishing is a legal grey area for casual recreational use; foreigners are advised to check locally with dive shops, tour operators and harbourmasters.

Foreign tourists may recreationally spearfish on breath-hold in open public waters without a licence, subject to the same restrictions as Thai nationals. Commercial activity by foreigners is restricted under Thai fisheries and foreign-business law.

Bofasta

No recreational licence required

Thai nationals do not require a licence for recreational fishing/spearfishing in public waters. Special protections and exemptions exist for artisanal and local fishing communities under the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries, but these are commercial/community-fishery provisions rather than recreational spearfishing rights.

Var på kusten

Tillåtna & förbjudna zoner

Namngivna områden som är öppna för eller stängda för harpunfiske. Se hela bilden på den interaktiva kartan.

Tillåtna områden

  • Island south of Phuket in the Andaman Sea, outside national-park boundaries; commonly cited by local freedivers as one of the better recreational spearfishing areas in Thailand. Breath-hold only; protected species must be avoided.

    Apnea (breath-hold) only — no scuba. No taking of protected/rare species. Verify you are outside any marine national park or sanctuary boundary.

  • Gulf of Thailand reef/island area near Pattaya cited as a recreational spearfishing destination (shallower, lower visibility than the Andaman side). Note some Samae San zones are under Royal Thai Navy control and may be restricted.

    Apnea (breath-hold) only — no scuba. Avoid protected species. Some surrounding waters are navy-controlled / restricted.

Förbjudna områden

Förhållanden på vattnet

Liveförhållanden

Ögonblicksbild i realtid av marina förhållanden och väder nära en kustreferenspunkt i Thailand, från Open-Meteo. Förhållandena varierar längs kusten — betrakta som vägledande.

Marina förhållanden & väder i realtid nära Koh Racha Noi (Racha Noi Island), Phuket.

Förhållanden

Vem du ska fråga

Myndigheter

De officiella organ som ansvarar för fiske och licensiering.

  • Department of Fisheries (Thailand)

    fisheries authority

    www4.fisheries.go.thMinistry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Bangkok
  • Marine National Park Division (Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation — DNP)

    environment ministry / protected areas authority

    portal.dnp.go.thMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment

Var detta kommer från

Källor

Varje påstående på denna sida går att spåra tillbaka till en av dessa referenser.

  1. [01]

    Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015) — official English translation (FAOLEX, FAO)

    Officiell
    faolex.fao.orgHämtad jun 15
  2. [02]

    Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015) — record (Ecolex / FAO FAOLEX)

    Officiell
    ecolex.orgHämtad jun 15
  3. [03]

    National Park Act B.E. 2504 (1961) — English translation (Samui For Sale law texts)

    Sekundär
    samuiforsale.comHämtad jun 15
  4. [04]

    National Park Act B.E. 2562 (2019) — record (Open Development Mekong)

    Sekundär
  5. [05]

    Department of Fisheries (Thailand) — official site

    Officiell
    www4.fisheries.go.thHämtad jun 15
  6. [06]

    Spearfishing in Thailand: Laws, Local Info, Top Spots & More

    community
    spearfishingspot.comHämtad jun 15
  7. [07]

    Spearfishing Pattaya | Is it Legal to Spear Fish in Thailand (Private Scuba)

    community
    private-scuba.comHämtad jun 15
  8. [08]

    Yachting in Thailand: 2025 Marine National Parks Regulations — The Complete Guide (Asia Global Yachting)

    Sekundär
  9. [09]

    Researchers Find Endangered Shark Species in Thailand's Shark Fin Trade / WARPA protected species (WildAid)

    Sekundär
    wildaid.orgHämtad jun 15

Forskaranteckningar

Spearfishing in Thailand sits in a partly grey legal area. There is no national statute that explicitly names 'spearfishing'; legality is inferred from the general fisheries framework (Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558/2015), the national-parks regime, and wildlife-protection law. Primary, verbatim legal text was retrieved from the official FAOLEX English translation of the Royal Ordinance (Sections 56, 58, 60, 66, 70 and definitions) and from an English translation of the National Park Act (Sections 16, 24). Key recreational-practice details — the breath-hold-only (no-scuba) norm, no recreational licence requirement, prohibition of catch pouches/chemicals, and the list of species to avoid — come from reputable dive/spearfishing operator sources rather than statute and are marked accordingly; treat them as community guidance, not codified law. Marine national park boundaries, exact spawning/closed-season dates, and statutory minimum sizes are set by Ministerial/Departmental notifications that were not all retrieved verbatim. Confidence is medium: the high-level legal position (allowed on apnea, banned in parks, protected-species rules, no explosives/poison/electricity) is well supported, but the absence of an explicit spearfishing statute and reliance on secondary sources for practical rules introduces residual uncertainty.

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