Phang-nga provincial administration and officials of the Mu Ko Similan National Park are considering reopening Tachai Island to controlled tourist visits, after it was closed in 2016 for rehabilitation of the ecological system.
Phang-nga Governor Supote Rodruang na Nongkhai and Dome Chansuwan, head of the Mu Ko Similan National Park, inspected the island earlier this week as part of the reopening plan.
The governor said that Tachai used to be a popular tourist attraction, but uncontrolled tourist visits had resulted in the degradation of the island’s environment and ecological system.
He said that the provincial administration has consulted national park officials in the development of a plan for the management of the island, to ensure that its environment, ecological system and natural resources will not be damaged by tourism again.
For instance, he said, the number of tourists allowed to visit each day will be controlled, boats will only be allowed to drop anchor where they will not harm corals, garbage will be managed effectively and areas will be defined in which tourists will be permitted to swim, dive or snorkel.
When everything is in place, the governor said that the island will be reopened.
Tachai Island is a small island, about 50km north of the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea.
