Why did Thailand close the famous Pling Island in the middle of the tourist season?

A freshwater reservoir on Phi Phi Island is running dry. (Photo: Bangkok Post) — A freshwater reservoir on Phi Phi Island is running dry.

Despite being in the tourist season, Pling Island in southern Thailand has been closed since May 9 to allow more time for the natural environment to recover after widespread coral bleaching was discovered.

Bleaching is a phenomenon in which corals expel algae when sea temperatures rise abnormally high and ultraviolet radiation increases.

This process causes the coral's vibrant colors to disappear, leaving only white. Coral can recover from bleaching over time, but only when temperatures drop and ocean conditions return to normal.

According to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, in addition to the above island, Sirinart National Park in Phuket (Southern Thailand) will also stop welcoming visitors to the coral reefs around this park due to widespread coral bleaching when sea temperatures rise.

The agency is also monitoring coral bleaching at other national parks in several areas in southern Thailand.

Large-scale coral bleaching has occurred in Thailand after the Southeast Asian country suffered a severe heatwave in recent weeks.

In 2018, authorities also had to close Maya Bay - a famous bay in Thailand thanks to the famous Hollywood movie "The Beach" which had scenes filmed there - for more than 4 months, to have time to restore coral reefs and marine life that had been degraded by the impact of external factors when a large number of tourists came to visit.

On the same day, Thai officials said many other resort islands in the country are also facing serious water shortages following a severe heat wave across Asia.

Every year, Koh Phi Phi island, off the west coast of southern Thailand, welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to its pristine beaches and clear blue waters.

However, a severe heatwave that has sent temperatures to record highs in the region in recent weeks, coupled with prolonged low rainfall, has left reservoirs running dry.

Wichupan Phukaoluan Srisanya, president of the Krabi Hotels Association, which represents hotels on Koh Phi Phi island, warned that private companies supplying water to the area may have to stop their services.

She said Koh Phi Phi island authorities are considering transporting clean water from the mainland to the island if the drought continues.

Some locals say they have been without fresh water for months, while many hotels on the island have had to limit bookings due to concerns about not having enough water for tourists.

Scientists have long warned that human-caused climate change will create more frequent and more severe heat waves.

According to the United Nations World Meteorological Organization, the El Nino phenomenon is causing warmer weather this year, and Asia is no exception with temperatures rising at a faster rate than the global average.

Local tourism operators have repeatedly called for investment in a long-term water supply for Koh Phi Phi island, which lacks adequate reservoirs and has deteriorating infrastructure.

In the Gulf of Thailand, another popular tourist island, Koh Samui, is also experiencing hot, dry weather, but local tourism officials say this has not affected tourists.

Koh Samui Tourism Association President Ratchaparon Poolsawadee said accommodations have to buy fresh water, which triples hotel operating costs.

Severe heat has hit Asia in recent weeks, leading to several deaths from heatstroke and forcing schools to close.

In April, Bangkok city authorities issued a heat alert for the day when the heat index, which takes into account other factors including humidity, reached 52 degrees Celsius.

TH (according to Vietnam+)

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