Tourists have caused so much damage to Thailand’s famous Maya Bay that the government has decided to shut the beach until further notice.
Leaders made the announcement this week after seeing no signs of improvement to Maya Bay, which was scheduled to reopen this month after a four-month revitalisation period.
Despite the break from visitors, Thailand’s government confirmed they were unable to reverse the environmental damage caused by over tourism since the spot appeared in Leonardo DiCaprio’s film ‘The Beach’.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) said the “marine ecosystem needed more time to recover”, and until then Maya Bay would be closed indefinitely.
“The ecosystem and the beach’s physical structure have not yet returned to its full condition.”
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation
“[The closure will be extended] until natural resources return to normal.”
Image: Humphrey Muleba/Unsplash
Tourists are banned from visiting Maya Bay on Phi Phi Island until the indefinite closure is lifted.
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