The Thai authorities have ordered the temporary closure of the beach made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Beach / Beach” (2000).
The move was prompted by marine scientist Thon Thamrongnawasawat, who posted photos of large numbers of low-season tourists packed onto small Maya Beach. According to Mr Thon, during low season 2016, about 5,000 tourists a day crowd onto Maya beach, which is just 250 metres long. The beach has 14 available …Maya Beach, on the Thai island of Koh Phi Phi Leh, will be closed for four months, starting in June, according to the BBC . Officials say shutting the island is an attempt to halt environmental damage caused by mass tourism, which will allow the rebuilding of coral reefs and marine life.
According to Bangkok Post, all marine parks in Thailand are closed from May to October during the rainy season. However, Maya Bay has previously been open all year long due to tourist demand. “The Islands have very fragile ecosystems that simply can not bear so many people, pollution from boats and beachfront hotels. Sometimes complete closure is the only way to heal nature, “said Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine expert, for Reuters.