Visitor numbers will be capped at marine national parks across the country from next year in a bid to ease environmental destruction.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dapong Rattanasuwan said tourism industry growth had made it difficult to control the number of visitors to national marine parks, which has had severe consequences for coral reefs and other marine life.
Gen Dapong said it was important to "balance" the management of natural resources between the tourism industry and conservation.
Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) chief Nipol Chotiban said discussions were being held with tourism industry delegates on how to deal with increasing arrivals while also achieving a sustainable solution to park conservation.
A source at the department, however, said controlling the number of visitors would be difficult, since park chiefs often target high numbers to bring in more “benefits”. In the past, there have been accusations that officials have embezzled national park visitor fees.
The news came as marine expert Thon Thamrongnawasawat told a recent seminar at Kasetsart University that conservation could no longer be delayed as “most of the natural resources are now gone”.
Mr Thon, also a member of the National Reform Council, blamed the destruction on mass tourism and irresponsible operators who anchor their boats on fragile coral reefs.
Meanwhile, the DNP said yesterday the southern island of Koh Tachai would keep its name, despite HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana announcing earlier that she wished to rename it “Sirivannavari”.