Bangkok: Authorities are investigating the export routes of 320,000 black-chinned tilapia across 222 shipments, tracing their origin. The Voices from the Forest Network has filed a petition with the Administrative Court requesting an investigation into the import and export routes of "black-chinned tilapia" after discovering that between 2013 and 2016, 11 ornamental fish companies exported over 320,000 aquatic animals, identified as black-chinned tilapia, on 222 occasions. The network is urging an investigation to trace the origin of the fish, who bred or possessed them, prior to complaints of the infestation in 2017.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chaipat Chanwilai, chairman of the Voice from the Forest Network, a civil society organization focused on environmental and natural resources, revealed that they recently filed a petition with the Administrative Court requesting an investigation into the performance of the Department of Fisheries and related government agencies in regulating and inspecting the import and export of black-chinned tilapia, as well as the disclosure of information to the public.
Mr. Chaipat stated that the key issue requiring investigation is the export route of aquatic animals, specifically black-chinned tilapia, from Thailand between 2013 and 2016. Information indicates that 11 ornamental fish companies exported a total of over 320,000 fish in 222 shipments to more than 10 countries before complaints about the black-chinned tilapia infestation arose in 2017.
Previously, public interest focused on how the black-chinned tilapia entered Thailand. However, the network believes that the export routes should also be investigated, particularly the origin of the fish exported during that period, who imported, farmed, or possessed them, and whether the source can be traced back. This could lead to more information about the origin of the black-chinned tilapia and its spread in Thailand.
Another issue the network seeks clarification on is the explanation following complaints about the outbreak in 2017, which stated that the identification of fish species and names in export documents may have been due to misunderstandings on the part of the exporters. The network notes that since aquatic animal exports involve pre-export inspections, an investigation should be conducted to determine why there were more than 200 instances of incorrect fish identification over a four-year period, and to what extent the government's inspection process at that time was able to confirm the species and origin of the aquatic animals.
Mr. Chaipat stated that the petition aims to investigate the performance of government agencies and to make relevant facts public so that the origin of the fish previously exported from Thailand can be traced back, and the information obtained can be used to address the current outbreak.
The network emphasized that these observations are not conclusive as to whether the 11 exporting companies were the source of the outbreak or whether any government agency provided favoritism to any individual. Rather, these are issues that require investigation into the facts and evidence, and all parties mentioned should have the opportunity to clarify the facts.
In another case related to the black-chinned tilapia problem, on September 8, 2026, the Central Administrative Court ruled in case number S.14/2567, in which 54 plaintiffs sued the Department of Fisheries and 18 others for alleged negligence on the part of the Department of Fisheries in preventing and controlling invasive aquatic species. The court ordered the Department of Fisheries and related agencies to take action within their authority to control, prevent, mitigate, and suppress the breeding or spread of black-chinned tilapia, in accordance with the Black-Chinned Tilapia Outbreak Action Plan 2024-2027 and other necessary measures. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives was instructed to jointly oversee and provide resources to ensure the actions are achieved within 180 days.
Furthermore, the court ruled that the Minister of Interior must instruct the Governor of Samut Songkhram Province to declare Amphawa District, Mueang Samut Songkhram District, and Bang Khon Thi District as emergency disaster relief zones, specifically for those who have suffered damage from the black-chinned tilapia outbreak. This must be completed within 90 days from the date the case becomes final.