Koh Tachai to be closed indefinitely

[snoop1130]

Koh Tachai to be closed indefinitely

Tourists take photos on Koh Tachai in January 2015. (Bangkok Post file photo)

PHANG NGA: -- The shoreline, beaches and coral reefs around Koh Tachai island in the Similan National Park off Phang Nga province will be off-limits to all visitors for an indefinite period, starting Oct 15, according to authorities.

The closure aims to ease negative effects on natural resources and the environment as a result of heavy tourism activities in the Similan National Park, a natural conservation area, said Tunya Netithammakul, director genberal of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation.

The measure is part of the masterplan for marine resource management in the Andaman Sea, he added.

All marine national parks are closed from today (May 16) to Oct 15 during the monsoon. But after Oct 15, Koh Tachai of the Similan Islands National Park will remain closed indefinitely, he said.

However, two deep dive sites in the Similan Islands remain open to divers and tourists.

“Thanks to its beauty, Koh Tachai has become a popular tourist site for both Thai and foreign tourists. This has resulted in overcrowding and the degradation of natural resources and the environment.

“We have to close it to allow the rehabilitation of the environment both on the island and in the sea without being disturbed by tourism activities before the damage is beyond repair,” said Mr Tunya.

Full Story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/koh-tachai-to-be-closed-indefinitely-57450.php#fWXkwqMAxfKCB0Dm.97

-- Phuket News 2016-05-16

[Buffy Frobisher]

Let's hope they really do enforce the closure. The coral off some of the Similan Islands has been very badly damaged in recent years, and the only way to rehabilitate it is to keep boats and humans away from it for a few years. Nice to see the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation really doing something. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, the two deeper dive sites, have been knocked about a bit but will hopefully survive with less general traffic out there.

[bheard]

Closed because farangs insist on wearing bikinis?

[stevenl]

Let's hope they really do enforce the closure. The coral off some of the Similan Islands has been very badly damaged in recent years, and the only way to rehabilitate it is to keep boats and humans away from it for a few years. Nice to see the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation really doing something. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, the two deeper dive sites, have been knocked about a bit but will hopefully survive with less general traffic out there.

Huh? Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are 2 deeper divesites, but far away from the now closed Koh Tachai.

[Calach]

They should set up steep permit fees for all endangered islands and some others, to make sure there's still something left of Thailand environmental capital in 10 years, and that all won't have been destroyed by mass tourism.

Nepal does that in many areas. On top of protecting the concerned areas from mass tourism and keeping them authentic, it also has the advantage of attracting mostly quality tourists and repelling the cheap crowds.

[Deli]

Too much greed of speed boat operators almost ruined the place. Good that they close it.

[quandow]

Is that yellow submarine still destroying the coral? I SAW that monstrosity on a dive years ago, just disgusting!