A statement released by the Parks Department says the shutdown is necessary as monsoon rains and choppy seas at this time of year are dangerous. The five-month closure is an annual occurrence at some of the parks.
The department says the lack of visitors allows the marine environment and sea creatures a rest and time to regenerate. The parks affected by the closure are off the coasts of Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang and Satun. Islands such as Koh Lipe and the Similan archipelago plus Mu Koh Lanta and other dive sites are off limits for the duration of the shutdown.
Despite some of the parks and popular sites in them being closed for several months in 2016, the Parks Department says visitor numbers topped the one million mark. 12GO ASIA offer multiple travel choices to the Andaman region from locations throughout Southeast Asia.
Thailand Andaman Sea national marine parks shut for rainy season
News in Asia
Thailand’s National Parks Department has announced the closure of marine parks along the southern Andaman Sea coastline. The ban on swimming, snorkelling and diving in the parks is effective from today and will last until the 15 October 2017.