National park chief defends extended Maya Bay closure

[Jonathan Fairfield]

National park chief defends extended Maya Bay closure

By Somchai Samart 
The Nation

 

 

The one-month extension to the temporary closure of Maya Bay is to better allow the full recovery of coral reefs, mangrove forest and the general ecosystem, as well as to protect tourists from strong winds and high waves during the period, Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park head Woraphot Lomlim said on Tuesday.
 

The attraction on Koh Phi Phi in Krabi’s Mueang district, made globally famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio-starring movie “The Beach”, had initially been closed since June 1 for the four monsoon months until September 30. 

 

But park officials recently declared a one-month extension, with the site now set to re-open on November 1, resulting in many people criticising the move as possibly leading to a negative impact on tourism.

 

The decision to extend Maya Bay’s closure was made by the Krabi national park’s 25-strong advisory committee chaired by the provincial governor, Woraphot said, citing that the national park prioritised the protection of natural resources while tourism took a back seat. 

 

Since its formal opening for public access in 1999, Maya Bay had until now never been allowed a chance to recover from the impact of increasing tourism, he said. 

 

“It is a natural resource of the world – not just exclusively for Krabi people – that nature has created,” he added.

 

Citing that many other attractions had temporarily closed annually from May 15 to October 15 in the past decades without any problems, the park chief said the temporary closure of Maya Bay and the subsequent extension had only been implemented for the first time this year. 

 

“So, what is done the first time is bound [to result in] criticism or issues. But we all have to look at the long-term benefits, not just today and tomorrow,” he stressed.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30354218

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-11

[NCC1701A]

good. i agree.

[pjuk]

 Temporary closure will do very little to help in the long term.

 

Limit the number of people allowed to visit per day to 150.

Limit the size of visiting boats.

Do not allow boats to drop anchor.

Do not allow them to land.

Ban snorkelling.

 

Then maybe just maybe things may get better.

 

But to implement this,  I'm afraid this is only wishful thinking.

[AhFarangJa]

14 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

But park officials recently declared a one-month extension, with the site now set to re-open on November 1, resulting in many people criticising the move as possibly leading to a negative impact on tourism.

Unbelievable short sightedness of these people.......There will be a much bigger impact on your tourism if there is no beach to come to at all in the future. All they are interested in is a dollar today, tomorrow we will find something else to exploit. 

It should be closed for a lot longer than three months as we all know once opened again it will only take a week or so to be back to square one.

[connda]

One month?    Close it down for a year along with all other areas that are suffering from coral die-off.  That's a no-brainer. 

"One month and all is better!!!"
No it's not! 

 

 

[AhFarangJa]

1 hour ago, connda said:

One month?    Close it down for a year along with all other areas that are suffering from coral die-off.  That's a no-brainer. 

"One month and all is better!!!"
No it's not! 

 

 

Only have one like, so added these.....

[stevenl]

One month is far from enough.

 

Just keep it closed, to be reopened at a later to be announced date, hopefully years in the future.

[overherebc]

On 9/11/2018 at 9:59 PM, NCC1701A said:

good. i agree.

Me as well but think a year would be better.