Thai marine biologist Thon Thamrongnawasawat says Maya Bay’s enforced closure has been paying dividends with many positive signs of recovery.
The iconic beauty spot, immortalised in the Hollywood flick ‘The Beach’ has been closed for more than one year and authorities had planned to reopen it when its rehabilitation is well advanced.
"After being closed for many months to facilitate natural restoration, the beach’s green forests have started to recover and coral reefs in the bay area have also been showing recovery and these are encouraging signs," Thon wrote in a Facebook post.
He said coral reefs are showing positive signs of regrowth with a sizeable population of blacktip reef sharks returning.
Thon hinted that it may not be too long before a tentative reopening date is announced.
Authorities plan to build a new boat pier and open a forest walking trail before it is reopened.
When that happens there will be strict limits on daily visitor numbers, which will likely be managed through an online ticketing system.
