The
Thai government says Koh Tachai, an island off the southern coast of Thailand
known for its beautiful coral reefs and coral reefs, will close indefinitely.
The
Department of Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the National Park of Thailand
announced that the beautiful Similan Islands in the Adaman Sea will not receive
tourists from May 15th to 15th, so that natural resources have time to rest.
foul.
Koh
Tachai was voted the most beautiful island in Thailand. The island is paradise
with blue sea, crystal white sand, located in the Andaman Sea, 7.4 km2.
According to Tunya Netithammakul, General Manager of the National Park and
Nature Conservation Authority of Thailand, thanks to its natural beauty, Koh
Tachai has become a popular tourist destination with domestic and foreign
tourists. This has led to overcrowding and severe degradation of natural
resources and the environment. Dive areas are gradually being contaminated by
overload of tourists. In addition, many groups lack the knowledge of the marine
environment and cause panic for fish. In fact, Koh Tachai is a primary
conservation area, not a tourist destination. Each beach is enough for 70
visitors but the number of people here is always overwhelmed when up to more
than 1,000 people. In 2015, Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment warned that Koh Tachai was threatened by waste, garbage and
environmental pollution caused by overcrowding. At that time, the authorities
ordered the closure of bars and limited visitors to the island.
Koh
Tachai is just one of the islands that Thailand has closed to minimize the
impact of travel to this place. Prior to this, Thai officials also did the same
thing with the Similan Islands, Mu Surin, Koh Khai Nok, Koh Khai Nui and Koh
Khai Nai. The next measures are the closure of beaches, dive spots and some
changes to cruise lines. Koh Phi Phi, an island in southern Thailand, 1.5 hours
from Krabi City, may be the next stop. It can be seen, the Thai government is
determined to resist the adverse effects of tourism on natural resources and
the environment.
Tourism
is Thailand's spearhead industry as it brings significant economic benefits but
also causes many attractions to be damaged as tourist flows become overcrowded
and out of control. . So the fact that the Thai government decided to close
many well-known tourist resorts is a clear message about choosing to protect
natural resources against the effects of development and not sacrificing the
environment. Just because of the immediate resources.
In
particular, Koh Tachai island in the archipelago will be closed indefinitely
due to heavy damage from tourists. About 1,000 visitors to Koh Tachai every
day, even though the maximum occupancy here can accommodate just 70 people,
poses a serious threat to the environment and the natural treasures.
"Thanks
to its beauty, Koh Tachai has become a popular tourist destination for both
Thailand and foreigners. This has led to overcrowding and degradation of
natural resources and the environment, "said Thanya Netithammakun,
director of the Bureau of Conservation of Flora and Fauna and National Parks in
the Bangkok Post.
Mr
Thanya said: "We have informed the tour operators of the closure of Koh
Tachai three months ago. However, there are currently 14 units continuing to
sell tours to this island. "
Any
unit that violates the restraining order will have to go to court, and be
deprived of the license. Mr Thanya warns travelers not to cheat on companies
promising to travel to the islands during tourist halt.
Thailand
is now one of Asia's tourist paradise, as each year the country attracts
millions of visitors to the resort. Especially sea island tour, from Pattaya to
Phuket.
Recently,
however, the Thai government has announced the closure of the waters and coral
reefs surrounding Koh Tachai in Similan National Park, off Phangnga province,
due to possible tourism concerns. Affect the island.
According
to the announcement, the closure decision will take effect from 15 October and
be limited to all visitors.
The
decision comes as a new rule for tourism in Koh Tachai after the Ministry of
Natural Resources and Environment announced that it was threatened by dead
corals and garbage left by large numbers of visitors.
Accordingly, tour operators
will not be allowed to use large explosion-proof boats and to bring their trash
back to the mainland. Activities such as swimming and diving are also
prohibited in some areas. Guests are not allowed to take coral, go to the beach,
or do anything that affects the marine resources.
Tunya
Netithammakul, director of national park and botanical conservation, said
tourism activities in recent years have severely affected the region.
Therefore, the closure aims to minimize the negative impact of tourism on the
natural and environmental resources of Similan National Park and the Biosphere
Reserve.
"We
have to close down our efforts to restore the environment both in the island
and in the sea, which will help Koh Tachai not be affected by tourism
activities before environmental damage is impaired." There is no cure,
"Tunya said.
Koh
Tachai Island Declaration was declared three months ago. All marine reserves
will be closed Monday through October 15 during the rainy season in Thailand.
However, after October 15, Koh Tachai Island in Similan National Park will be
closed permanently.
Thon
Thamrongnawasawat, head of fisheries at Kassetsart University, found that 14
travel companies were still selling packages to Koh Tachai when he was invited
to a Thai tourism fair on Sunday. Therefore, visitors should consider and
carefully consider the travel companies still listed tour operators visiting
the island after October 15. Professor Thon warned.
