Koh Tachai closed indefinitely due to damage from tourism

The popular Thai island in the Andaman Sea, “Koh Tachai” has been closed by Thai authorities, blaming high tourist numbers for damaging its ecosystem. Litter and food waste, gasoline from tour boats leaching into the water, damage to coral etc lead to this decision; Thai authorities says.

The Island can supposed to be accommodate few hundreds tourists, but at peak period there were 2000+ tourists visiting the island daily.  Almost all Thai marine national parks close to tourists from mid-May to mid-October for monsoon season but Koh Tachai will not reopen.

“We have to close it to allow the rehabilitation of the environment both on the island and in the sea without being disturbed by tourism activities before the damage is beyond repair,” Tunya Netithammakul, director general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation told to media.

Source : CNN