Tourism Trang’s Hat Chao Mai National Park Announces Seasonal Closure of Islands & Caves

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The chief of Hat Chao Mai National Park, Mr. Pathum Phongsakornfueangfu, has officially announced the temporary closure of several key tourist areas within the park during the upcoming monsoon season, to ensure public safety and allow for natural regeneration.

 

The closure affects several marine zones within the park. Koh Waen and Koh Chueak will be closed from 1 June to 30 September 2025, a four-month period. Meanwhile, Koh Muk and Koh Kradan will be inaccessible from 1 August to 30 September, lasting two months.

 

The renowned Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot), one of Thailand’s most iconic “Unseen Thailand” destinations, will be closed from 1 to 30 September. This shorter closure is intended to minimise disruption to residents of Koh Muk while still prioritising visitor safety.

 

These measures follow a national directive issued by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on 20 December 2024, revising seasonal tourism closures across various national parks. The goal is to better align closures with weather patterns and ecological sustainability for 2025.

 

By limiting access to only certain areas for defined periods, rather than enforcing a blanket closure as in previous years, the park aims to balance ecological preservation with continued tourism activity. The initiative allows some marine destinations in Trang to remain open, offering tourists alternative sites during the rainy season while preventing overuse of sensitive natural resources.

 

The park is expected to reopen fully from 1 October 2025, marking the beginning of the new tourism season.

 

Officials stress that these temporary closures will benefit both the environment and the local tourism economy in the long term by ensuring that key attractions remain safe, sustainable, and vibrant for future visitors.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-30.