KRABI — Thailand’s iconic Maya Bay is set to welcome tourists again on October 1, following a two-month closure for environmental recovery. Park officials have implemented stringent regulations to balance tourism with conservation, including limited daily visitors and eco-friendly practices.
The reopening comes with heightened safety measures and carefully managed boat access to protect the bay’s delicate ecosystem.
On September 30, Academic and Planning staff of the Underwater Operations Unit at Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi Province have placed fish egg buoys to mark a boundary prohibiting tour boats from entering the area in front of Maya Bay, Phi Phi Islands, Ao Nang Subdistrict, Mueang Krabi District.
They have also repaired mooring buoys at Loh Sama Bay, the entrance to Maya Bay, to ensure they are ready for use in preparation for the opening of the Maya Bay tourist season on October 1.
This national park has banned tourism activities from August 1 to September 30 every year to allow nature to recover and regenerate, as well as for tourist safety due to the monsoon season.
Yutthaphong Damseesuk, Head of the National Park, stated that Maya Bay and related areas including Loh Gao Bay and Loh Sama Bay will open for the tourist season on October 1. It is expected that a large number of tourists will flock to visit Maya Bay, so preparations must be made to handle all situations.
Previously, Maya Bay was a tourist attraction that brought enormous revenue to Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, as it was a paradise beach that tourists from all over the world pinpointed for visits. Each day, 4,125 tourists can visit, divided into 11 rounds, with each round not exceeding 1 hour and limited to 375 people per round, from 07:00 to 18:00.
Additionally, the National Park has implemented strict measures for ecotourism. Key measures include:
- Prohibition of collecting coral, sea fans, shells, and all marine animals.
- Prohibition of bringing and using sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral.
- Prohibition of bringing and using foam containers.
- No littering.
- No feeding fish.
- No use of drones without permission.
- No anchoring in coral areas.
- No swimming in Maya Bay area.
- For entering Maya Bay, boats must dock at Loh Sama Bay pier. After dropping off tourists, boats must move to the designated buoys and strictly follow the instructions of the officials.
Recently, the Regional Harbor Department, Krabi Branch, has strictly inspected safety equipments and prepared for this year’s tourism season opening, including:
- The number of regular passengers at Pak Klong Chilat Pier in Mueang Krabi District traveling to Phi Phi Island must not exceed the limit.
- Life-saving equipment, life rings, life jackets for each passenger seat, and fire extinguishers must not be expired and must be in a ready-to-use condition in case of emergencies. Emergency rafts must be ready for use.
- Boat registrations, captain licenses, and engine mechanic certifications must not be expired. Communication equipment must be ready for use.
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