Thailand’s famed Maya Bay in Krabi, originally meant to reopen on October 1, will be closed to tourists indefinitely, the Bangkok Post reports.
The decision by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) was made in view of the extent of environmental damage caused by large numbers of tourists and the time it would take for recovery.
Over 1,000 corals have been planted across four hectares of the bay, an area set to be expanded.
Reportedly, DNP consulted experts who shared their concern over coral reef damage, but not local residents who may be reliant on tourism.
Quoting a local tourism business association chairman, the Bangkok Post article anticipate the closure of Maya Bay would have knock-on effects on tourism to the elsewhere in Krabi province.
