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DNP working on limiting number of tourists visiting Phi Phi park sites
Yoong Island closed in May, and Maya Bay (pictured) is under consideration next. Photo: Phalinn Ooi
Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th
T
he Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is working on limiting the number of tourists visiting national park areas near Phi Phi Island to allow the protected sites a chance to recover from intense environmental pressure. Local residents rallied to file a petition calling for park areas to be
closed off to allow environmental recovery, resulting in Krabi Governor Phinich Boonlert filing that request with DNP Chief Thanya Netithammakun, confirmed Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, adviser to the DNP and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University in Bangkok. “Consequently, Yoong Island has been closed since May. Maya Bay is next in consideration,” he told The Phuket News this week.
Sarayut Thantian, Chief of the Hat Nopparat Thara - Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, also confirmed the news this week. “We are thinking about limiting the number of tourists visiting the areas,” he said. “Right now we are collecting information about the impact on Phi Phi. We don’t have details yet, but we do recognise that some national park areas will have to be closed because of the effect of so many tourists visiting those areas,” Mr Sarayut said.
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As a stop-gap measure, while the park surveys are being carried out, officers are installing more buoys at the Phi Phi park sites to reduce the damage done by tour boats and to make sure dive areas are clear of vessels, Mr Sarayut added. Krabi Marine Chief Boonchaw Tangsiripaisan voiced his support for limiting the number of tourists visiting Phi Phi. “We send reports to the Krabi Governor every month about Phi Phi, and we agree that we...
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