Thailand’s famous Maya Bay Phi Phi is closed again, this time until October 1 to allow local authorities to monitor the bay’s environmental health and to give the local wildlife and ecosystem time to recover since the grand reopening in January this year.
As a result of bad tourist behaviour, littering on the beach, abuse of the sea and land animals, damage to the vegetation, and the destruction of as much as 50% of Maya Bay’s coral caused by the anchors of tourist boats, the bay was closed to tourists in 2018. According to the website phuketdivetours.com, at the height of the overtourism wave, tourists could find standing room only on the Maya Beach at high tide.
After the reopening in January this year, the Thai Tourism Ministry says close to 100 000 tourists flocked to visit the renowned bay. The beach was closed again at the end of July for an assessment of progress and it is unknown when it will be reopened.
The bay is known for its appearance in Danny Boyle’s 2000 film, The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
