Officials of Hat Chao Mai Marine National Park in Trang insist the four-month closure of scenic islands during the rainy season is reasonable despite tourism operators' complaints against the park's strict order.
The closures, starting next month, are intended to ensure safety for tourists and to give the ecosystems a chance to recover after recent tourist visits.
The four islands — Ko Muk, Ko Waen, Ko Cheuak and Ko Kradan — as well as the famous Morakot cave and popular diving sites in the area of Hat Chao Mai Marine National Park will be closed from Monday to Sept 30.
The period has been already cut by two months since Manot Wongsurirat was appointed as head of the park.
He said the closures should be enforced only during the strong monsoon period.
"This has been done for two years and tourism operators have been aware of that, so I don't understand why they come out to complain about the impact on tourism this year," Mr Manot said.
He said operators were told of the closures at a meeting on April 20, which was also joined by Prathip Chongthong, chairman of the Association of Trang Tourism Businesses.
He said the announcement of the closures was also posted at major jetties to inform tourists. "Everything has been done using correct processes," Mr Manot insisted.
Mr Manot said officials from many agencies, who usually ensure the safety of tourists, are assigned to other work during the monsoon season.
He said this is another reason why the temporary closure of the tourist spots was necessary.
Mr Prathip said the park's order is too harsh and makes tourism operators feel like they are being victimised.
The closure of attractions in Hat Chao Mai Marine National Park would harm local tourism worth several hundred million baht, he said.
The park also appears rigid when it said it would take action against tourist boats which break the order, and "cannot guarantee their safety".
He said he interpreted this remark as a veiled threat.
The association wants the park to relax its stance, Mr Prathip said.
Meanwhile, Tee Lor Su, the largest and highest waterfall in Thailand, will also be closed for five months starting next month.
Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary officials in Tak will close the road to Tee Lor Su until Oct 31 to avoid damage to the path during the rainy season and reduce disturbance to wildlife along roadsides, provincial governor Somchai Hathayatanti said.
"Vehicles will not be allowed to go in and out of the area," he said, adding the closure will also apply to the Mae Klong River where rubber rafts will not be allowed due to strong current.
Tourists can travel to the waterfall by foot, but they need to inform authorities.