Overcrowding of tourists in Thailand’s tourist attraction islands poses serious threat to the environment compelling the Thai government to announce closure of the southern Similan islands for five months. The authorities have further notified that Koh Tachai, one of the islands, will not be reopened after the annual closure.
Koh Tachai has a capacity to cater to about 70 tourists at a time. However, it turns out to be almost 1,000 people descend on it daily. Therefore, in response to massive destruction caused by visitors, the reopening date of Koh Tachai stays unknown.
Thanya Netithammakun, director general of Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said on Sunday that Similian islands, a group of famous scenic islands in Adaman Sea, will be closed off to tourists from May 15 to Oct. 15, in order to allow its natural resources to recover.
Thanya said that tour operators have been informed about the indefinite closure of Koh Tachai Island three months in advance and any tour operator found violating the rules will face legal charges and lose their license.
