ABOVE: Tourists and boats swarming Koh Phi Phi Don’s Maya beach in these undated photos sparked a preservation outcry recently. Photo: Niruth Darid Bannob
National park officials are considering an entrance fee for the Phi Phi islands to stem the human tide which has been overrunning protected areas.
A fee could be introduced as one way to mitigate the increasing number of island visitors, according to Nopparathara National Park Chief Chaithat Boonphupantanti, after calls for protection were raised in the wake of images showing areas such as Maya Beach overrun with standing-room only tourists.
The proposal for the fee will be brought up in the meeting with all National Parks on March 27-28, The Nation reported. Other solutions regarding the preservation of marine life will also be discussed as the number of visitors to the southern islands raises major concerns.
