Thailand says in will close dozens of its national marine parks over the rainy season to allow them to recover from the ravages of high season mass tourism.
Nathaphon Ratanaphan, chief of marine national parks announced the closure of 61 of the country’s 154 national park zones.
These include popular destinations such as the Koh Phi Phi islands.
However iconic Maya Bay, made famous in the Hollywood flick ‘The Beach’ will remain open.
Other parks out of bounds are the remote Similan Islands, the Koh Ha islets near Koh Lanta and the Jao Mai beach national marine park.
Most will remain closed for about five months.
Nathaphon said the closures were vital to let nature recover at its own pace and to better protect the area during the monsoon season.
Environmental impact studies will also be carried out during the closures.
