Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) will extend the closure of Maya Bay for at least another two years.
The destination popularised by Hollywood movie The Beach was closed for ecological recovery last June, and is now scheduled to reopen from 2021 onwards.
DNP is implementing measures to minimise the environmental impact of tourism, as well as build facilities such as nature study trails, a dock for tourist boats and housing for officials.
An e-ticket system and a vessel monitoring system are also expected to improve tourist management.
The new facilities and systems would be trialed to assess their impact on the environment before authorities make a decision on whether and when to reopen Maya Bay for tourism.
Other islands in the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park will remain open to tourists.
