Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has announced a five-month closure of tourism activities around the Similan and Surin Islands in Phang Nga Province to allow marine ecosystems to recover during the rainy season.
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The closure will run from 16 May to 15 October 2026 and affects both Similan National Park and Surin National Park. Authorities said the measure is intended to restore natural balance and reduce risks to tourists caused by unstable weather conditions during the seasonal period.
Reporters at Ban Thap Lamu tourist pier in Lam Kaen Subdistrict, Thai Muang District, Phang Nga Province, observed foreign tourists boarding boats on 15 May for final trips to Similan National Park before the closure the following day.
According to Similan National Park officials, the annual shutdown is part of an ongoing conservation programme designed to protect marine ecosystems from damage linked to tourism activities. Officials said coral reefs and rare marine species are particularly vulnerable and require time to recover from environmental pressures caused by large visitor numbers.
The Similan Islands are among Thailand’s most popular marine tourism destinations, attracting visitors from around the world for diving, snorkelling and beach tourism. Authorities have repeatedly used seasonal closures as a management tool to preserve biodiversity and maintain the long-term health of the islands’ natural resources.
Surin National Park will also suspend tourism operations over the same period. Officials confirmed that tourism activities across both island groups would resume in mid-October, coinciding with the start of the next tourist season.
Park authorities stressed that 15 May marked the final day tourists could visit the Similan Islands before the annual closure began. Boat operators and tourism businesses in the area are expected to suspend services linked to the islands during the five-month period.
Environmental protection measures in Thailand’s national parks have become increasingly important as authorities attempt to balance tourism income with conservation efforts. Seasonal closures are widely used in marine parks to minimise environmental stress and improve safety during periods of rough sea conditions.
ThaiRath reported that officials said tourists will once again be able to visit the islands after the closure period ends on 15 October 2026, when the new tourism season is scheduled to begin.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 16 May 2026