Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi will remain closed indefinitely
Although Maya Bay was initially planned to reopen to the public after September 30, 2018, it will remain closed for the time being until it recovers from years of environmental damage caused by the massive tourist influx. About 200 boats arrived daily, dropping off an average of 4.000 visitors on the small stretch of beach.
Maya Bay, part of the NoppharatThara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, needs more time to recover the natural resources of the sea. The official announcement was reported in the Royal Gazette on Monday 1 October 2018.
During the closure of the beach, the Thai authorities investigated. The extent of the environmental damage appears to be much greater than initially thought. Most of the coral has disappeared.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conversation says the ecosystem has been severely damaged by tourism.
Because it is not known how much time will be needed for the recovery, the authorities have decided to close the area indefinitely.
After the shooting of the Leonaro DiCaprio film “The Beach” in 1999, many tourists wanted to visit this beautiful location with all the adverse environmental damage as a result.
This is yet another example of the disadvantages of mass tourism (is there an advantage?). These places should be regulated by the government. Be protected. Not closed when it is already too late.
Why don't they just let a limited number of boats come a day and not for a penny, but for an extra, which benefits to further protect and maintain nature. It already happens in several parks anyway. And then only a few months in the year.
I was there 37 years ago when it was hardly visited, another 15 years later and the last time I was there five years ago (then there were also many tourists, but few Chinese, who now come in large numbers and we know how carefully these people treat nature).
But I'm already glad they're keeping it closed for now….
A beautiful location, with a few thousand people around you and a fleet of speedboats in the bay.
The boat on the way there and the way back packed with people.
That's not exactly my idea of a day trip.
When I look at that crowd of people, I wonder what they themselves are thinking at that moment.
Would this be what they had imagined from that trip?
It was ridiculous for the Thai government anyway to think that nature that has been destroyed in years would be restored in a few months, but yes those thoughts must have to do with the great education in Thailand
Strong action to continue this despite the financial consequences, I am positive about it.
And when it opens again, ask for a high conservation fee of at least 800 bth per person.
That also keeps out the cheap, most polluting tourist who wants to walk on the beach (and often on the coral) for fifteen minutes
This is now the third time that Maya Bay has been in the news and it will surprise few if changes will take place again soon. For a nice video about the recent events of May Bay, watch this video: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/maya-bay-closed-until-further-notice-video