Thailand's iconic Maya Bay to reopen as of 1st January

Maya Bay in Thailand's Krabi province, closed since June 2018 as a result of overtourism pressures, will be reopened as of 1st January.

The tourist attraction in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi Marine National Park in the southern province of Krabi will begin welcoming a limited number of tourists on New Year's Day.

Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Director-General, Thanya Netithammakul confirmed the opening before Christmas, advising that visitor numbers to the beach on Phi Phi Le Island would be limited to 375 per hour.

In addition, swimming will not be allowed because the sea around Maya Beach is home to a large number of blacktip reef sharks.

According to Thanya, the Department is also reviewing the collection an additional fee from tourists.

Apart from paying an admission fee to enter the marine national park, tourists would have to pay extra for visiting Maya Beach itself.

The internationally famous location - just 250 metres long and 15 metres wide and featured in the Hollywood movie The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, filmed there in 1999. However, by 2018 it was being overwhelmed by tourists, leading to the destruction of reefs and marine ecology in the area.

For more information on access to Maya Bay go to www.thailandevisas.com/requirements-visit-maya-bay

With thanks to Helena Capdevila, PR & Communications Manager, Marketing Globally.

Image: Thailand’s Maya Bay, closed since June 2018, will be reopened with restrictions as of New Years Day.