Tourists banned from three more Thai islands
Tuesday, 27 May, 2016
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Thai authorities have ordered the removal of all tourist facilities on three small islands off Phuket, citing coral damage due to the sheer volume of sightseers.
All tourist related structures including shops and restaurants will be removed from Koh Khai Nok, Koh Khai Nui and Koh Khai Nai islands and specially designated areas only will be set aside for boat trips in the area.
A week ago Thailand said it would close off the island of Koh Tachai in the Andaman Sea for similar reasons.
"We want operators and guides active in Phang Nga and the surrounding areas to understand the rules and procedures in conducting a tour to prevent further damages to our marine natural resources and the coastal area. They must practice environmentally friendly tourism," said department of marine and coastal resources regional head Watcharin Na Thalang.
"Tour groups spend at least three hours swimming, feeding fish and snorkelling in the water, which severely damages the marine ecosystem, especially on coral reefs."
A report by the Phuket Marine Biology Centre said more than 60 speedboats per day visit the area
"Officials are clearing all beach umbrellas and beach chairs in the area. Shops and restaurants on the Koh Khai islands will be removed and the Royal Forest Department has been contacted to carry out the removal of these structures," said Suchart Rattanareangsri, director of the department of marine and coastal resources’ conservation division.
"We will set routes where tour boats may enter and depart from these areas, and where they cannot enter. Officials will also install more mooring buoys in the area. So far we have added 40."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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