2019 is labelled the most prosperous tourism year for Thailand due to the relaxing of immigration regulations last year. While this could indicate a positive economic trend for the nation’s tourism industry, the jarring news of the closing of Maya Bay in Phi Phi National Park, Thailand’s Andaman gem, gives the entire industry reason for pause, and makes travellers around the world reluctant to move their vacation plans forward.
Note that London’s Big Ben is taking at least four years to be restored to its best condition and similar efforts are being made with other major tourist attraction destinations around the world.
So having completed one year of restoration work under the “Phi Phi Model”, in order to rehabilitate the fragile marine ecosystems, the five-year marine revival plan is taking the bold step of closing one of the world’s most visited sites in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park which draws an average of 3,700 tourists each day.
Despite the protestations of disappointed travellers, pictures of dull, bleached underwater coral reefs make it clear that these serious environmental threats require immediate action and sacrifice.
“#SeaYouTomorrow: The Future of the Sea Is in Your Hands”, is an ecosystem balance restoration campaign launched by Singha Estate in 2018 aimed at raising public awareness about endangered marine ecosystems. The campaign also supports World Oceans Day and helps relevant nature conservation-based partners in their efforts to save the marine biodiversify.
The revitalisation of marine biodiversity has returned to Maya Bay
According to Singha Estate PLC CEO Naris Cheyklin, “The company has followed the corporation’s vision to foster sustainable development by launching this collaborative campaign together with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University. The Marine Discovery Centre (MDC) was established in Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort to raise public awareness of the importance of healthy marine ecosystems and diversity. The company has participated in the Pracharat Project to keep the ecosystem balanced and foster sustainability for the communities”.
Singha Estate PLC CEO Naris Cheyklin
“From the start of the initiative, positive results in the underwater paradise have been achieved with practical support including mooring buoys and patrol boats for our park officers to conduct inspections, while damage to coral reefs has shown signs of recovery,” explained Dr Songtam Suksawang, Director of National Park Office.
The aerial drone photos above Yung Island have proven the growth of new coral reefs after a year.
“The growth of new coral reefs at Yung Island bears testimony to the programme’s success and our collaboration with Singha Estate has yielded the re-proliferation, and revitalisation of once-dead of coral reefs. The use of drones for aerial photography which was provided by Singha Estate has played a vital role in our research and efforts to move forward with our national coral reef restoration plan”, said Asst Prof Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University.
Jeremiah Pitakwong, Managing Director, Amarin Printing and Publishing PLC (far left), Asst Prof Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University (2nd left), Dr Songtam Suksawang, Director of National Park office (centre), Naris Cheyklin, CEO Singha Estate PLC (3rd right)
The coral restoration initiative is influenced not only by national concerns but by recognition of the problem as an urgent global issue as well. Coral reefs are home to a wide diversity of marine life on the planet, and a source of nutrition for humankind. By stressing awareness of the agenda, the 2019 SeaYou Tomorrow campaign has prevailed.
In collaboration with National Geographic Thailand, Singha Estate’s SeaYouTomorrow invites the public to take part in the World Oceans Day 2019 photography contest and face the challenge of discovering what lies in the deep blue sea.
“We are looking for photographs of the sea by members of the public, regardless of their photographic experience. The advancement of digital platforms enables us, as a publisher, to cultivate this opportunity to inform and educate the public on the importance of conserving our marine ecosystems, and raise awareness about sustainable conservation,” said Jeremiah Pitakwong, Managing Director, Amarin Printing and Publishing PLC.
“#SeaYouTomorrow : The Future of the Sea Is in Your Hands” by Singha Estate might prove to be a long-awaited reward of a lifetime, and worthwhile collaborative endeavour passed from one generation to the next. Find out more about the campaign at