Authorities in Thailand have temporarily closed one of its popular beaches in order to prevent further environmental damage caused by over tourism.
For four months starting June this year, Maya Bay on Phi Phi Island, the beach made famous after appearing in Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie ‘The Beach’, will be closed off to all visitors, CBS News reported.
The decision was made by Thailand’s National Parks and Wildlife Department this week after seeing extensive damage to the island’s coral reefs and sea life caused by some 4,000 visitors every day.
Head of the Department, Thanya Netithammakum, said the island needs to time to heal before it’s too late to “save our island”.
“But if we don’t do something today, it will be too late.”
Thanya Netithammakum, Thailand’s National Parks and Wildlife Department
Maya Bay is expected to re-open in August this year, but will do so with strict limitation in place, including a daily limit of 2,000 tourists and the relocation of docking boats to the opposite side of the floating piers.
Meanwhile, the Philippines today also confirmed the closure of one of its islands, which is suffering from a sewage problem.
READ: Philippines closes Boracay Island for rehabilitation
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