Maya Bay, Thailand: The paradise cove from movie The Beach is closing due to overtourism

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Maya Bay, Thailand: The paradise cove from movie The Beach is closing due to overtourism

Oliver Smith

 

File photo

 

Maya Bay in Thailand, a strong contender for the world's most celebrated beach, will be closed to tourists for at least three months this year in a bid to reverse damage caused to the surrounding coral reef.

 

The idyllic cove that starred in The Beach, Danny Boyle's adaptation of Alex Garland's novel about the search for untouched backpacker paradise, has long been the victim of its own fame. The film encouraged waves of tourists to visit the once little-known Phi Phi Islands, where Maya Bay is located, and the sheltered strip of sand is now a far cry from the unspoiled utopia depicted on the big screen.

 

As many as 5000 people arrive each day on boat trips from the bustling mainland resorts of Krabi and Phuket, but fears about damage to the local reefs are finally spurring local authorities into action and tourists will be prevented from visiting for three months during the summer low season to let the corals recover.

Full story: http://www.traveller.com.au/maya-bay-thailand-the-paradise-cove-from-movie-the-beach-is-closing-due-to-overtourism-h0vzw8
 

-- Traveller 2018-02-13

[RotMahKid]

In 3 month time nature can't repair itself, close these kind of places totally for mass tourism.

 

[cornishcarlos]

1 minute ago, RotMahKid said:

In 3 month time nature can't repair itself, close these kind of places totally for mass tourism.

 

 

It's better than nothing...

[Thian]

Or just block the bay for boats and don't allow anybody to swim....they can only look and make pics...

[Thechook]

It will take decades not months

[Enoon]

 

"Yeah, we were there......yeah the one from the film.......yeah awesome, shame about the crowds though.......yeah you gotta go"

 

 

Everyone goes, but it's always "the crowds" who spoil it.......never them.

 

 

[Enoon]

5 hours ago, RotMahKid said:

In 3 month time nature can't repair itself, close these kind of places totally for mass tourism.

 

 

Band-Aid on a broken limb.

 

STP (Standard Thai Procedure)

 

 

[ChrisY1]

There aren't too many spots in Thailand where coral grows well now.....most places I've seen, the reefs are dead.

It takes years, not 3 months, to achieve any sort of substantial recovery....and of course, pollution needs to stop!

[Denim]

7 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

It's better than nothing...

Unfortunately it's pretty much the same as nothing.

 

There needs to be some kind of control on numbers at these places.

However, the problem is that a reduction in numbers will mean a loss of revenue . Which leaves the only viable option as a big hike in the cost of visiting them. This will hopefully have the effect of reducing the numbers to just the wealthy and those who want to go bad enough at any price.

[Denim]

2 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

"Yeah, we were there......yeah the one from the film.......yeah awesome, shame about the crowds though.......yeah you gotta go"

 

 

Everyone goes, but it's always "the crowds" who spoil it.......never them.

 

 

 

Just looking at the picture says it all.

 

How totally ridiculous.  These people are like lemmings running on well worn rails.

 

The irony is that you can go to Laem Sadet midweek and it is like a ghost town.

[tryasimight]

And all based on a report from an Aussie source.  Nothing official from a Thai authority. 

[farcanell]

Glass bottom boat tourism perhaps?

[BEngBKK]

Thai greed is destroying the beaches.... Not the tourists....

[Awinkl]

Went over to Phi Phi from Koh Lanta on a Day Trip and then wanted to find a Boat to take us to Maya Bay, but decided against it due to the cost of 1700 Bath pP and also the time constraint to get the Ferry back to Koh Lanta in the late afternoon.

Some of the more realistic Boat Operators did mention that Maya Bay is very, very crowded with Tourists (just like Phi Phi is) - but they are now offering an EARLY Option at 07:00 Departure from Phi Phi, which supposedly brings you to an (almost) empty Maya Beach????? But of course, that would mean having to stay on Phi Phi for at least 1 night.....

[geoffphuket]

Fake news from a rumor that was started a few days back! Someone show me a link proving over-wise, from a government source.... 

[overherebc]

17 hours ago, farcanell said:

Glass bottom boat tourism perhaps?

Boats with a big plug in the keel that drops out when tourist numbers exceed the permitted numbers maybe??

[someonelovesyou]

11 hours ago, Awinkl said:

... wanted to find a Boat to take us to Maya Bay, but decided against it due to the cost of 1700 Bath pP ...

I was also quoted 1700pp and decided against it.   Then my girlfriend managed to go haggle 500pp so we ended up going.  Apparently they have some margin in the 1700pp price. 

[overherebc]

Let the boats into the bay go slowly past the beach for photographs then back out again with no-one allowed to land. For a year at least, not 3 months.

[Sir Dude]

It looks like a ghastly experience from the photo in post #6. Leave it to heal for a bit, then re-open it with a strict 500 tourists a day limit and double or triple the price to visit such a special place.