Seasonal closures of Thailand's national parks begin

Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay remain open as the country’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) begins its annual cycle of temporary closure of national parks next month, allowing the destinations to recover after welcoming a large number of tourists all year long.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the closures include many popular tourist islands and beaches in the Andaman coastal area. These include Mu Ko Surin and Mu Ko Similan National Parks in Phang-nga province; the Ko Hin Daeng – Hin Muang, Ko Ha and Ko Rok diving sites located in Krabi’s Mu Ko Lanta National Park; Hat Chao Mai in Trang; and the islands of Lipe, Adang and Rawi in Satun’s Tarutao National Park. Over one million people visited those five parks alone in 2016, according to the DNP.

The DNP has so far confirmed that the Phi Phi Islands, which includes Maya Bay, currently remains open to visitors. Any national park closure of offshore islands typically take place during monsoon season, when few tourists are interested in taking boat transfers in stormy conditions, the organization said.

Several national parks close every year for certain periods between March and December; dates vary depending on weather and park conditions.

Visitors are advised to contact the DNP prior to arrival to confirm whether a particular park is open. More information is available here.