KRABI – Nine tour companies have been prohibited from taking customers cliff climbing on the Phi Phi islands because their safety procedures were inadequate.
The temporary ban was announced by Sarayuth Tansathien, chief of the Nopparat Thara - Phi Phi Islands National Park, on Friday after he inspected tourist activities at various islands in the Phi Phi area.
He said a large number of tourists were taken to climb cliffs on Phi Phi Don Island without being accompanied by trained staff.
Nine firms that do not provide climb supervisers have been ordered to stop selling these tours until they get proper licences to offer rock climbing. If they do not heed the warning, they will be charged with violations under the National Parks Act. He did not name them.
He said rock climbing was offered legally at Railey beach in Krabi, which is reachable from Phi Phi Island by a ferry.
The park chief advised tourists to check the operator's licence before purchasing a package tour.
Mr Sarayuth also said the park had collected 30 million baht in entrance fees since Jan 1 this year, a big jump over the previous year. It plans to spend more funds developing facilities to provide greater convenience for future visitors.