The Thai government has finally decided to close the famous Maya Bay beach on Phi Phi Island in the Andaman Sea. The attraction will be inaccessible to all tourists for four months, starting in June of this year. During this period, authorities expect restore coral reefs, reports Skift.
The decision to close the beach was made this week, on Wednesday, by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Government of Thailand.
The main goal of the planned restrictions is the restoration of the marine ecosystem, which has been nearly destroyed by booming tourism. During peak season, the beach is visited daily by approximately 5,000 tourists from all over the world.
Recent research by a team led by marine biologists has shown that much of the coral reefs around the area have been destroyed and marine life has become virtually extinct.
The coral reef near the beach has been damaged by boats whose owners drop anchor because there is nowhere to tie up their vessels in this area.
When Maya Bay reopens, a daily limit of 2,000 tourists will be imposed, and boats will no longer be allowed to moor near the beach. They will have to moor on floating docks on the opposite side of the island.
Maya Bay became famous after the release of the film "The Beach" in 2000. This paradise location was chosen for filming due to its crystal-clear waters, beautiful corals, and white sand. Since the film's release, more than 35 million tourists have visited the country, compared to 10 million in previous years.
Source: trn-news.ru