• Home
  • About
  • Contact
    • Contact Thaizer
    • Work With Thaizer
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
Thaizer Thailand travel blog
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Destinations & Map
  • Do’s & Don’ts
  • Events & Festivals
  • Month by Month Guide
You are here: Home / News / National Park Officials Extend Closure of Maya Bay, Phi Phi Leh

National Park Officials Extend Closure of Maya Bay, Phi Phi Leh

October 3, 2018 by Roy Cavanagh

Thailand’s Department of National Parks (DNP) have announced that Maya Bay will remain closed to visitors until further notice. The popular tourist attraction is located on uninhabited Phi Phi Leh. The neighbouring island of Phi Phi Don is where many people decide to stay when visiting the area and this remains open as usual. The original plan was to close Maya Bay from June-September this year to allow the marine life and bay to recover from the impact of over-tourism. However, the recent announcement by the DNP says Maya Bay will remain closed indefinitely to allow the marine ecosystem enough time to fully recover. Although no definite date has been given for a reopening, the Bangkok Post newspaper quoted one senior park official hinting it could need a year or more to allow the ecosystem time to recover. In continuing attempts to restore the ecosystem of Maya Bay, the DNP have so far planted more than 1,000 corals. If and when Maya Bay does reopen to tourists, boat operators will be subject to tighter regulations and there will be a reduction in the number of daily visitors allowed.

Maya Bay, Phi Phi
photo of Maya Bay taken in February 2005

Maya Bay was made famous by the film ‘The Beach‘ (released in 2000) which featured Leonardo DiCaprio. The bay and beach are outstandingly beautiful, but with so many boats and day-trippers flocking here from nearby Krabi, Phuket and Phi Phi Don, action had to be taken sooner rather than later to preserve the marine life and beauty of the area. Although tourists hoping to visit Maya Bay any time soon will be disappointed, in the long-term this can only be seen as a positive move. The people complaining the loudest about the continued closure are the local tour operators who have been a major part of the problem by putting profit ahead of the environment. The extended closure of the bay is one of a number of eco-friendly initiatives that also include:
Plastic ban introduced at National Parks
Annual low season closure of National Parks
Smoking ban on a number of Thai beaches
An online ticket system to limit the number of visitors to National Marine Parks
No more overnight stays allowed on the Similan Islands

Filed Under: News

Thailand Essentials

♦ Accommodation in Thailand: check prices & reviews with Agoda* or Booking.com*
♦ Plan your trip: Thailand advice and frequently asked questions
♦ Tours: book tours in Thailand with Klook* or Take Me Tour*
♦ Transport: book Thailand transport online with 12Go Asia*
♦ Travel insurance: get cover for your trip to Thailand with World Nomads*

About Roy Cavanagh

Roy Cavanagh is a former stand-up comedian who now works as a freelance writer and website designer. Passionate about Thailand and Thai culture, Roy also runs a network of travel websites.
Follow on social media:
Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Thailand FAQs

Save up to 75% on Thailand hotels »*

Travel Insurance for Thailand*

About Thaizer

I'm Roy and I aim to provide you with tips and advice to help you get the best out of your trip to Thailand. Find out more here.

Roy Cavanagh from Thaizer Thailand
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Latest Updates

  • 9 Reasons to Love Thailand
  • Visiting Railay Beach, Krabi
  • Phra Nang Cave, Krabi
  • Reclining Buddha, Wat Lokaya Sutha, Ayutthaya
  • Severe Weather Warning Issued for Southern Thailand
  • Coronation of Thai King Scheduled for May 2019
  • Bhuping Palace, Chiang Mai

Search

Support Thaizer*

As a way of helping me with some of the fees and time spent on running this website, thaizer.com has affiliate partnerships with a select number of companies. This costs nothing extra to you, but means I may make a small commission when you make a booking via any link marked with an asterisk *. Read more here. Thank you (Roy at Thaizer)

Copyright © 2019 · Thaizer