If you’ve been looking forward to spending your year-end holiday in Krabi’s famous Maya Bay, which was set to reopen this November, then we’ve got some unfortunate news for you!
In an announcement from Thailand’s conservation department, it said that Maya Bay will remain closed to tourists indefinitely until the ecology returns to its “original state”.
Earlier in June 2018, Maya Bay was closed to tourists in an effort to rehabilitate its deteriorating marine life. According to marine experts, coral reefs were beginning to deteriorate due to warmer temperatures and overcrowding, so closing off the beach was the only way to revive its reefs.
According to Khaosod English, Hat Noppharat Thara-Ko Phi Phi Marine National Park stated that there were concerns as to whether there was enough time for the coral and the newly-planted forest in Maya Bay to be revived.
A representative from the national park also stated that more than 1,000 corals have been planted in Maya Bay, and that it could take years for them to fully grow, which is why they could not set a specific schedule and deadline for the rehabilitation process.
Sigh! Well, it looks like Maya Bay will be off-limits for at least a few years to come. At least there are a lot of other beaches and islands in Thailand to visit!
Also read: Boracay and Maya Bay Will Be Closed Starting April and June 2018, Here’s Why