Maya Bay tourist ban proposed to save marine life
Phuket Gazette


Damage to marine life due to tourists and wastewater have forced marine biologists to call for closing of Maya Bay next month. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong.

PHUKET: -- Maya Bay could be closed next month to help save marine life.

The closure of the popular tourist spot in Phi Phi National Park was proposed by marine experts as a preventative measure to help restore bleached coral and other marine life.

“Currently, sea temperature is very high, and it’s expected to continue increasing from about 30.5 to about 33 Celsius,” said marine expert Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat. “The coral bleaching has started to attack many spots, both in the Andaman and the Gulf of Thailand.”

Coral bleaching occurs when the symbiotic algae that lives in coral leaves, making the coral more susceptible to dying.

“This is the first time we’ve been proactive to coral bleaching,” Dr Thon said. “We’re closing the island before it’s too late, not like in 2010, when we closed the island after everything was already gone.”

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Maya-Bay-tourist-ban-proposed-save-marine/63887?desktopversion


-- Phuket Gazette 2016-05-16

20 years ago there were thousands of small red crabs around Maya beach. At night they were all sitting next to the path from the beach to the restaurants. I wonder if they're still there.

A month's closure of Maya Bay would cost several million baht in National Park entrance fees and of course it's the highlight of the Phi Phi day trips.

Could be a fight between the interested parties ensuing here.

I wonder who will prevail?

I wonder if they'll be able to ferry out the half of China parked in there by next month.

Water was filthy last time I went there. So much crap and surface scum floating around the alcove at the other end of the bay, and completely non-picturesque with speedboats, ferries, longtails everywhere. 5am starts are the only time to get a nice view of the place.

20 years ago there were thousands of small red crabs around Maya beach. At night they were all sitting next to the path from the beach to the restaurants. I wonder if they're still there.

That was certainly not Maya Bay. There have never been any restaurants there.

How does not allowing tourists in stop the sea temperature from increasing which is causing the coral bleaching?

How does not allowing tourists in stop the sea temperature from increasing which is causing the coral bleaching?

2000 Chinese tourists a day, 50% of them taking a leak. That'll increase the water temperature!

In 1-2 weeks Maya bay won't be accessible anyway due to prevailing wind. Do I think their wish will be fulfilled.

20 years ago there were thousands of small red crabs around Maya beach. At night they were all sitting next to the path from the beach to the restaurants. I wonder if they're still there.

That was certainly not Maya Bay. There have never been any restaurants there.

It certainly was.

If you walked the path from Maya bay heading to the other beach and the harbour you passed the restaurants. The red crabs/crays were all along the path, close to maya beach.

This was 20 years ago.