Thai beaches in danger - 7th January 2022

Before Covid-19, there was heavy tourism in Phi Phi islands, Thailand. It almost completely destroyed its marine life.

Maya Bay became famous in the film "The Beach". The beach is 250 metres but more than 6,000 tourists used to visit it daily. They used to arrive in motorboats which polluted the area. About 60 percent of the coral was destroyed by 2018.

It's opened to visitors again. People hope it'll be a good example for tourism that is environmentally friendly.

Sirithon Thamrongnawasawat is responsible for the environmental programmes at Singha Estate. They've helped educate people about sea life.

Sirithon Thamrongnawasawat: "We would like to make sure that everyone has been educated so that’s why we come up with the Marine Discovery Centre (MDC) where we show the tourists what is the impact, what is the biodiversity, what is the relationship between your behaviour and the impact to the corals."

During the lockdown, sea life returned, including sharks. Kullawit Limchularat is a marine biologist. He's helping more sharks return to the area.

Kullawit Limchularat: "We have a plan to give awareness to the tourists about the importance of the sharks in ecology and we have a plan to release them back into nature."

Maya Bay reopened on 1st January with strict rules. Boats can't enter the bay and fewer tourists are allowed.

Locals are worried there'll be less business. But the aim is to get fewer tourists who are more responsible.

Sirithon Thamrongnawasawat: "We would love to have more responsible tourists and also, those who come can help the economy of the local people."