Ban On Diving/Snorkeling Sites - Any Enforcement?

[SGhawker]

Hi, I am planning a trip to Phuket to do some boating around and would like to ask if there was any enforcement of recently introduced ban on diving/snorkelling in many popular sites?

I am not opening discussion about how needed/ridicluos the ban decision is (pls spare your OT spears:-) but just want to know if any sites were actually patrolled last weeks or any enforcement done through diving/snorkelling boat operators.

I probably guess about your answers (TIT so influential money rule and thus nothing happenned...) but just want to know what is actually happenning today in the sites like Phi Phi, Koh Ha and Racha (the latter was not included into the list of banned locations but if other popular sites are somehow closed/limited - this will bring much more pressure and tourist boats to Racha).

Thanks for your feeback and have a nice weekend

Edited February 19, 2011 by SGhawker

[stevenl]

None of the now banned sites were dived on this season. This means there really is no need for reinforcement.

The banned snorkelingsites are mainly in surin national park, within sight of the rangers station there.

[SGhawker]

None of the now banned sites were dived on this season. This means there really is no need for reinforcement.

The banned snorkelingsites are mainly in surin national park, within sight of the rangers station there.

Thanks for reply stevenl.

Hmmm, I am just trying to get some facts and data (versus official facts and data....Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation declared on 21 January 2011 temporary closure of 7 key dive sites located in marine national parks in the southern region of Thailand in an effort to allow time for the coral recovery process and to put a brake on human activities posing threats to the ecosystem.

The following are the 7 marine areas where entrance by tourists, divers and fishing boats are prohibited.

1. Hat Chao Mai National Park in Trang province, around Ko Chueak

2. Mu Ko Phetra National Park in Satun province, around Ko Bulon Mai Phai and Ko Bulon Rang Phueng

3. Tarutao National Park in Satun province, around Ko Takiang, Ko Hin Ngam, Ko Rawi and Ko Dong

4. Mu Ko Chumphon National Park in Chumphon province, around Ko Maphrao

5. Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi province, around Hin Klang reef

6. Mu Ko Surin National Park in Phang Nga province, around Ao Suthep, Ao Mai Ngam and Ko Stork

7. Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phang Nga province, around Ao Fai Wap and East of Eden

The list includes much more sites close to Phuket (than only Surin)... I am not sure if the whole Phi Phi (or only Hin Klang) was meant in the formal ban but many other south sites are clearly banned.

Thanks for your feedback and observations about Surin anyway

[stevenl]

Btw, phi phi and racha are not closed, and this ban does not lead to increased pressure on racha islands, since no dive or snorkelingsites in the vicinity are affected.