The Maya Bay of Thailand (Photo: https://www.samuitimes.com/) Hanoi (VNA) - Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said on May 17 that ships will not be allowed to enter Maya Bay from now on, except from the back.
The move came as Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa saw that the coral reefs are not recovering as expected.
Minister Varawut the coral reefs have been destroyed because of excessive tourism. Maya Bay will remain closed as rehabilitation continues.
According to the minister, Maya Bay will not be permanently closed. When the coral growth is complete, then this place will be open to tourists from all over the world.
However, the minister said corals are still in a dangerous condition. Many coral species grow at a rate of only 3 to 5 centimetres in a year.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation under the environment ministry announced the closure of Maya Bay on June 1, 2018, banning tourism and related businesses.
Maya Bay is known for its stunning coral reefs as well as three 100-metre high cliffs sheltering the bay. It is the main tourist attraction of Phi Phi island in southern Thailand./.
VNA
