Thailand Makes Strides in Coral Bleaching Recovery Efforts

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) in Thailand has successfully rehabilitated over 60% of coral reefs affected by bleaching since the previous year. This significant recovery signals hope for Thailand's coral ecosystems, which had been severely impacted by rising sea temperatures.

According to Pinsak Suraswadi, Director General of the DMCR, between 60-80% of corals in Thai waters experienced bleaching starting April last year. While 60% have recovered, the remainder succumbed to the harsh conditions. The bleaching was primarily due to elevated sea temperatures, causing the coral to expel zooxanthellae algae – a critical symbiotic partner – leading to weakened, white coral structures.

The situation varied between regions. A survey of the Andaman Sea indicated that approximately 55% of the coral suffered bleaching last year, though 60-70% has since been restored. Conversely, the Gulf of Thailand faced more severe conditions, with 90% of the coral bleached at its peak in May last year. Recovery in this area hovers between 40-60%.

Shallow-water corals bore the brunt of the damage. However, current observations are positive, as no new bleaching incidents have been detected recently.

The DMCR is actively engaged in coral regeneration efforts in seven provinces: Trat, Rayong, Chon Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, Phang Nga, and Phuket. These initiatives cover 24 rai of reefs and nurture approximately 60,000 reproduced coral colonies, integral to conserving and revitalising Thailand's coral reefs.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has implemented several measures to combat bleaching, including temporarily closing certain marine tourist sites to allow corals to heal, discouraging tourists from fish feeding, encouraging the cleanup of trash from coral areas, promoting eco-friendly sunscreens, and temporarily relocating coral to prevent further damage.

Thailand has faced several significant coral bleaching events, often linked to elevated sea temperatures during El Niño years. One of the worst incidents occurred in 2010, affecting up to 80% of corals in the Similan and Surin Islands. A subsequent bleaching event in 2016 was also tied to global warming and El Niño conditions.

In recent years, rising sea temperatures continued to threaten coral health in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, with popular tourist locations like Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi, and the Similan Islands being closely monitored in 2023 and 2024.

Despite the past challenges, the DMCR's concerted conservation efforts and proactive measures provide a hopeful outlook for the future of Thailand's coral reefs, showing that recovery, although challenging, is within reach with diligent efforts and strategic planning.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-04-24