Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has issued a warning to tourists visiting marine national parks: using sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs could result in fines of up to 100,000 baht. The announcement came on October 16, 2025, as part of efforts to protect the long-term health of Thailand’s marine ecosystems.

 

The banned substances include Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor and Butylparaben, which are commonly found in many commercial sunscreens. Director-General Atthaphol Charoenchansa explained that these chemicals damage coral by inhibiting larvae development, disrupting reproduction and contributing to coral bleaching, which can ultimately lead to coral death.

 

Authorities are urging visitors to use environmentally friendly alternatives labeled “Reef Safe” or “Reef Friendly”. In addition, tourists must follow strict park regulations: avoid touching or stepping on corals, maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from reefs, refrain from littering and comply with all instructions from park officials.

 

The enforcement aligns with Thailand’s broader strategy to balance tourism with environmental conservation. Officials noted that coral ecosystems in the country have been under increasing pressure from chemical pollutants, coastal development and climate change. By regulating sunscreen use, the department aims to reduce human-caused stress on reefs, which are vital for marine biodiversity and local livelihoods.

 

Park authorities said that penalties will be strictly applied to ensure compliance. Visitors caught using banned sunscreens may face on-the-spot fines and repeat offenders could face further legal action. Educational campaigns and signage at popular tourist sites are being enhanced to raise awareness of the reef-safe requirements.

 

Tourism operators and tour guides are being advised to inform clients in advance about the new regulations. Officials hope that by encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour, Thailand can preserve its coral reefs for future generations while continuing to welcome tourists safely.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Tourists using sunscreens with four harmful chemicals may face fines up to 100,000 baht.

• Banned chemicals, including Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, are linked to coral bleaching and reef damage.

• Visitors are urged to use “Reef Safe” sunscreens and follow all marine park regulations.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-10-18

 

 

 

 

 

Used to dive in the coral reefs in Hawaii while growing up there, the reefs were very colorful and vibrant full of life, now they’re nearly dead dull dark colors from petroleum distillate’s from boats and skin goop. 

Looking for easy targets yet again. 

Anything that requires hard work and organisation gets ignored or swept under the carpet.

The regular oil spills from pipelines in the bay of Thailand being just one.

Thankfully fishermen and boat operators can drop anchors and dump rubbish on the reefs without worry. 
Also the fact that there are no reef safe sunscreens available to buy in Thailand is a bit of a problem you would think

 

They should shut down all the affected beaches if they're serious about this, this is one of the dumbest ideas I've ever read and I have read a lot of incredibly dumb ideas in my days.

How does the threat to reefs of a smear of sunscreen compare with the threat of global warming? And what significant is Thailand doing about the latter?

2 hours ago, WHansen said:

Looking for easy targets yet again. 

Anything that requires hard work and organisation gets ignored or swept under the carpet.

The regular oil spills from pipelines in the bay of Thailand being just one.

What about the effluent in Pattaya which ranges from floating turds to spent dingers.

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has issued a warning to tourists visiting marine national parks: using sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs could result in fines of up to 100,000 baht. The announcement came on October 16, 2025, as part of efforts to protect the long-term health of Thailand’s marine ecosystems.

 

 

Why don't they take illegal dumping this serious too then? Just today I saw someone dumping trash in vacant lot (in already huge pile of trash). Totally shameless some of these people are.

3 hours ago, ourmanflint said:

Thankfully fishermen and boat operators can drop anchors and dump rubbish on the reefs without worry. 
Also the fact that there are no reef safe sunscreens available to buy in Thailand is a bit of a problem you would think

 

None of your statements is correct.

9 hours ago, WHansen said:

Looking for easy targets yet again. 

Anything that requires hard work and organisation gets ignored or swept under the carpet.

The regular oil spills from pipelines in the bay of Thailand being just one.

Yes, good luck with that sunscreen one.

16 hours ago, ukrules said:

They should shut down all the affected beaches if they're serious about this, this is one of the dumbest ideas I've ever read and I have read a lot of incredibly dumb ideas in my days.

Yep. Shut them. The sunscreen thing is a drop in the ocean (sorry) compared with all the other extremely obvious factors affecting coral in the world today. Stop picking on the little man, Thailand, and treat your visitors with a smidge more respect. 

Near to Phuket there is a National Park where tens of fishing boats are illegally fishing, both during the day as at night. Needless to say how much plastic and fishing nets are found in the beach.

19 hours ago, WHansen said:

...

The regular oil spills from pipelines in the bay of Thailand being just one.

 

Regular? Name just one.

16 hours ago, Mason45 said:

What about the effluent in Pattaya which ranges from floating turds to spent dingers.

 

What about it?

Mind boggling the stuff they are coming with, by the way, my bathers are made of synthetic material, that too

could cause harm to the delicate environment, so I better bathe in the nude.

16 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Why don't they take illegal dumping this serious too then? Just today I saw someone dumping trash in vacant lot (in already huge pile of trash). Totally shameless some of these people are.

 

Because they're not doing it in marine national parks?

Save The Coral Reefs From Tourists Song 
(Sung to the Mulberry Bush song)

Here we go round the Thai coral reef,
The Thai coral reef, the Thai coral reef.
Here we go round the Thai coral reef,
So early in the morning.

 

This is the way we check the cream,
Check the cream, check the cream.
This is the way we check the cream,
So early in the morning.

 

This is the way we warn the ignorant guests,
Warn the ignorant guests, warn the ignorant guests.
This is the way we warn the ignorant guests,
So early in the morning.

 

This is the way we fine 100,000 THB,
Fine 100,000 THB, fine 100,000 THB.
This is the way we fine 100,000 THB,
An ruin your entire vacation.

 

This is the way we save the reef,
Save the reef, save the reef.
This is the way we save the reef,
From sunscreen wearing ignorant tourists.

 

Here we go round the coral reef,
The coral reef, the coral reef.
Here we go round the coral reef,
Don't touch anything or it's deportation! 

2 hours ago, KireB said:

Near to Phuket there is a National Park where tens of fishing boats are illegally fishing, both during the day as at night. Needless to say how much plastic and fishing nets are found in the beach.

What national park are you referring to?

19 hours ago, Zaphod Priest said:

How does the threat to reefs of a smear of sunscreen compare with the threat of global warming? And what significant is Thailand doing about the latter?

coral reefs evolved almost 500 million years ago when co2 was almost 5000 ppm, and salt water tank operators pump in the equivalent of 1000 ppm co2

to get corals to grow better

 

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Global-Temperature-and-CO2-levels-over-600-million-years-Source-MacRae-2008_fig1_280548391

 

How Do Corals Build Reefs? | California Academy of Sciences

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBO7zWO1zXY

They're putting people out of their misery.

These sunscreens are not only bad for nature, they're also harmful to humans.

 

Nice job, Thailand !

 

21 hours ago, ourmanflint said:

the fact that there are no reef safe sunscreens available to buy in Thailand is a bit of a problem you would think

Not at all. most tourists to a tropical country who need sunscreen would be bringing it with them.          

20 hours ago, Zaphod Priest said:

How does the threat to reefs of a smear of sunscreen compare with the threat of global warming?

It's much worse, most people now realise that "global warming" is not a threat at all neither is it something that humans can do much about.

Erm, how exactly are they going to enforce these new regulations on sunscreens? 

 

Will they have roaming officials with some sort of sunscreen testing kit nabbing folks before they go in the water and swabbing their skin? Sounds impractical and petty to appoint sunscreen police.

 

The Ministry of Lofty Ideas and Grand Plans at it again, if you ask me.

 

Bit of a slow clap on this one for the pen -pushers.

22 hours ago, ourmanflint said:

Also the fact that there are no reef safe sunscreens available to buy in Thailand is a bit of a problem you would think

 

Over 1,000 of them in Lazmall alone.

 

22 hours ago, ourmanflint said:

Also the fact that there are no reef safe sunscreens available to buy in Thailand is a bit of a problem you would think

Another non-factual AN-poster "fact".

4 hours ago, ezzra said:

Mind boggling the stuff they are coming with, by the way, my bathers are made of synthetic material, that too

could cause harm to the delicate environment, so I better bathe in the nude.

LOL: however, then we’ll need to use more lotion.  

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

What national park are you referring to?

Lampi

38 minutes ago, KireB said:

Lampi

Lampi near Phuket?

Is there a reason you're mentioning a Myanmar national park, over which Thailand has no control whatsoever?

On 10/18/2025 at 3:42 PM, novacova said:

Used to dive in the coral reefs in Hawaii while growing up there, the reefs were very colorful and vibrant full of life, now they’re nearly dead dull dark colors from petroleum distillate’s from boats and skin goop. 

 

Seeing a dead reef, up close, is a very terrible thing.

 

13 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Lampi near Phuket?

Is there a reason you're mentioning a Myanmar national park, over which Thailand has no control whatsoever?

 

Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park I expect.