Crystal clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, corals and rich marine life have become the charms of most islands in the Andaman Sea, after they were closed to tourists during the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019.

Visitors are now returning to these islands in droves, especially those off Thailand’s southern province of Krabi, after several were reopened to controlled visits, with limitations being imposed to protect the environment and ecological system.

Teekawut Sriburin, chief of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, said that it is necessary for some protective measures to be retained, including limits on the number of visitors each day.

Krabi is well known for many islands which are popular among both Thai and foreign tourists. These include the Phi Phi islands, Ko Kai, Ko Mo, Ko Thap and Thale Waek, a thin strip of white sandy beach which emerges during low tide, enabling tourists to walk from one island to another.

Many tourists visit these islands for diving or snorkelling, as they are rich with corals and tropical fish.

The Krabi Tourism Business Association predicts that as many as 1.5 million tourists will have visited Krabi by the end of this year, generating about 15 billion baht in revenue for the local economy.