The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP) of Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has decided to close to the public coral reefs along several parts of Thailand’s Andaman Coast and in the Gulf of Thailand because of coral bleaching, a phenomenon in which the coral loses it colour and may eventually become completely white – or in other words dead.
The move has been implemented to prevent further damage to the affected reefs and create a more favourable environment that may allow the coral colonies to recover. The closure affects seven national parks, including the famed Taratuo and Mu Kho Phi Phi Marine National Parks. It also affects several islands in national parks in Southern provinces of Trang, Satun and Chumphon.
More patrols will be introduced to monitor and crack down on illegal fishing, while various environment agencies are looking at solutions for the damaged coral reefs. Further steps to protect them include the repair and maintenance of existing buoys and the installation of new buoys to prevent vessels from dropping anchor on the coral reefs. The Tourism Authority of Thailand will also enhance its efforts to inform local people about these protection measures and to provide them with a better understanding of how to implement sustainable and responsible tourism.
