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"We have found a hole on the container through which groupers swim in and swim out," Central Institute of Forensic Science director Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan revealed Monday.

She said she would have a meeting with representatives from the Customs Department, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), marine archaeologists and noted marine biologist Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat on Tuesday to discuss possible means of checking what's inside the container and where the container came from.

"Representatives from underwatercamera companies will attend the meeting too," Porntip said.

Porntip has been assigned to look into the containers after they caught the media spotlight and rumours spread the bodies of those who died in the Black May incident were inside.

Porntip's team has already located one of the containers.

Porntip has ruled out lifting the container from the sea for examination because the process would require a huge budget.

The Pollution Control Department (PCD), meanwhile, has voiced opposition against any plan to cut open the container underwater.

"If toxic waste is inside, cutting the container open in the sea would cause farflung environmental impacts," PCD director general Dr Supat Wangwongwattana said.

Nevertheless, he doubts the container harbours toxic waste because coral reefs and fishes would have been affected.

Officials have now suggested the container has rested on the seabed off Chon Buri for more than 20 years, judging by the barnacles found on it.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as well as many highprofile figures have pointed out the mysterious container could not be related to the Black May incident, which took place 17 years ago.