Maya Bay made famous by The Beach film closed indefinitely to tourists

A beach in Thailand made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio film is to close indefinitely.

Authorities in the country announced earlier this year that they were closing Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi island for four months in a bid to help it recover from the effects of tourism.

However following a survey, it was found that in order for the island to fully cover from erosion and pollution, the beach would have to close indefinitely.

A statement from the Department of National Parks said: “The ecosystem and the beach’s physical structure have yet returned to its full condition until natural resources return to normal.”

The spot on the island was made famous by the 2000 film The Beach, directed by Danny Boyle. It’s become a bucket list location for those travelling to Thailand.

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Environmentalists say that heavy traffic from boats and increasing numbers of visitors have damaged the beach and surrounding area’s ecosystem. 

Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat from Bangkok’s Kasetsart University told the South China Morning Post: “When I first came here 38 years ago, this place was heaven. This was all coral once but now there is nothing.”

Up until its closure, the island was seeing up to 5,000 tourists visiting the spot each day.

The news comes as the Philippines prepares to reopen Boracay after it also became inundated with tourists.

Boracay has been closed for six months and is set to officially reopen on October 26.

An environment official said that only 19,000 tourists will be allowed in Boracay on any given day.

Water and leisure activities including drinking on the beach will be prohibited.

Source - Evening Standard

#Thailand - Once-pristine Thai bay from ‘The Beach’ to close to boats

The once-pristine Thai bay which became a tourist magnet after the 2000 movie “The Beach” will be closed to boats for several months to prevent further damage to its coral, an official said Wednesday.

Hordes of tourists flock daily to Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley for selfies in front of the famed limestone cliffs and blue waters, leading to complaints of environmental damage to the water and sand.

But the picture-postcard beach of the Leonardo DiCaprio film will be closed to boats from June to September this year, Worapoj Lomlim of the Phi Phi islands National Parks told AFP.

“For around 20 years the bay has welcomed boats to moor in front of the beach… but their engines have damaged coral reefs and caused problems with the sand,” he said.

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“Overcrowded tourist boats have also blocked the view,” he added, saying tourists will still be able to reach the beach by foot from an adjacent bay where boats can park.

The closure is the latest effort to mitigate damage caused by tourism, a crucial pillar of Thailand’s economy with more than 35 million travelers visiting last year.

But environmental experts and officials are worried the mass tourism is causing irreversible damage to idyllic beaches, with litter and unchecked development disrupting local ecosystems.

Smoking has already been banned on 20 of the country’s most famous beaches this high season, with a hefty fine or even jail for those who flout the new rule.

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Source - Coconuts.co