The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed more details surrounding the protection of Mu Ko Similan National Park.
There will now be an entry fee to the attraction, priced at 500 baht (US$16) for adults and 300 baht for children. Fees are collected at any of four locations, one of which is the Park’s Office on the mainland in the village of Thap Lamu. The other three are in the island archipelago itself – Park Ranger Unit 1 Ko Mieng, Park Ranger Unit 2 Ko Similan and Park Ranger Unit 3 Ko Tachai.
Also, in line with the recent cap on visitor numbers, tour operators are now required to give one-day notice to the park before entering during the period of March 21 to May 15, 2019.
The cap is set at not more than 1,625 visitors per day for excursions on islands from Ko Si to Ko Paet, and not more than 1,700 visitors per day for excursions from Ko Paet to Ko Si.
For diving, the cap is not more than 525 visitors per day.
As of June 2018, overnight stays were banned on the Similan Islands.
Unapproved boats are not permitted to enter the Mu Ko Similan National Park.
