Thailand's Maya Bay to close 4 months each year

Starting in June, Thailand’s popular Maya Bay will now be closed four months of the year, a move the country says will help the local environment recover from heavy tourist visitation.

While most of Thailand’s national parks are temporarily closed to visitors each year, Maya Bay has remained open year-round since 2000 to satisfy tourist demand, after the region was popularized by the 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach.

According to Thailand’s National Parks and Wildlife department, Maya Bay sees up to 200 boats and 4,000 visitors per day, activity which has negatively affected the area’s coral reef and marine life.

Upon reopening, Maya Bay will be limited to 2,000 daily visitors, with boats required to dock on the opposite side of the island at floating piers.