Overview

• The Thai government has closed the Similan and Surin Islands in the Andaman Sea until October 14 to allow ecosystems to recover and ensure tourist safety during the monsoon season.
• Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh will close from early August to the end of September to protect its fragile ecosystem from the impacts of mass tourism.
• The closures are part of an annual conservation strategy aimed at mitigating environmental stress caused by high tourist numbers and rough monsoon conditions.
• Starting mid-October, visitors will need to purchase electronic tickets linked to their passport numbers to enter six marine national parks, including the Phi Phi Islands.
• These measures reflect Thailand's broader efforts to balance tourism with environmental preservation and improve oversight of protected areas.