The event, organised by the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office in cooperation with Phuket City Municipality and agencies under the Department of Fisheries, took place at Chalermprakiat (Rama 10) Public Park at the end of Saphan Hin Cape.
Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam presided over the ceremony, which was attended by government officials, fisheries officers, municipal representatives and members of the public.
The event began with a speech expressing royal praise and best wishes on the occasion of His Majesty the King’s birthday anniversary.
Participants then joined together to release 500,000 juvenile giant freshwater prawns into the sea, symbolising the offering of merit to His Majesty while also contributing to the restoration of aquatic biodiversity in the area.
Mr Suwit was joined by Prayut Rattanawan, Phuket Provincial Fisheries Chief Mr Prasit Sinsaophak, and Deputy Mayor of Phuket City Municipality in leading the release effort.
The prawns were provided by the Phuket Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Center as part of a wider programme to increase the population of aquatic species in natural water sources and support sustainable fishery practices in the province.
The ceremony is part of a nationwide tradition in which provinces across Thailand commemorate the King’s birthday through merit-making and environmental conservation activities.
In observance of the national public holiday for HM The King’s birthday, the Phuket Immigration Office, along with all other government offices, will be closed on Monday. Normal government services will resume on Tuesday (July 29).
There will be no alcohol ban for HM The King’s birthday.