Court Orders Fisheries Department To Control Black-Chin Tilapia Outbreak

The Administrative Court has ordered the Department of Fisheries and 18 other state officials to develop and implement a plan to suppress and manage the black-chin tilapia outbreak and declare Samut Songkhram province a disaster zone, though the case may still face appeal.

On September 8, 2025, the Central Administrative Court issued its 120-page ruling in case Sor.14/2567, brought by 54 plaintiffs against the Department of Fisheries Director and 17 other officials. The suit alleges that the defendants failed to control imports of black-chin tilapia, leading to its spread across multiple Thai provinces, and failed to enforce laws against those responsible. Plaintiffs sought court orders for the state to eradicate the fish, restore affected areas, declare a disaster zone to access compensation funds, and pursue those who caused the outbreak.

Affected residents and representatives from impacted provinces attended the ruling at the Central Administrative Court. Pramesath Dandungyai, head of the Bar Association's administrative law team on the black-chin tilapia case, stated afterward that the court ruled that authorities with direct responsibility—chiefly the Department of Fisheries and its director—must implement a plan to suppress further spread. The court also ordered the Interior Ministry and provincial governors in affected areas, particularly Samut Songkhram, to declare those areas disaster zones to expedite budget disbursement for relief.

The court dismissed charges against other defendants, including the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and the Finance Ministry. Plaintiffs' main goal was to secure legal remedies from the Department of Fisheries, held responsible for the crisis. The ruling will take effect 180 days after the case is finalized, and may still face appeal.