Bangkok (CNN) — Officers in Thailand have introduced a reopening date for one of many nation’s most well-known points of interest.
Maya Bay, a wonderful cove made well-known by “The Seaside” — a 2000 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio — will reopen to vacationers on January 1, 2022, in line with a press release issued by Thailand’s Division of Nationwide Parks.
However not like the various points of interest which were reopening in current months, Maya Bay’s preliminary closure had nothing to do with the pandemic.
The favored vacation spot has been off limits to vacationers since June 2018 as officers launched into a rejuvenation program geared toward reviving the favored space’s decimated corals.
Situated in Thailand’s Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi Nationwide Park, Maya Bay is a part of Phi Phi Leh — one of many two principal Phi Phi islands in Krabi province.
In contrast to the a lot bigger Phi Phi Don, house to an abundance of finances and mid-range lodging choices, Phi Phi Leh was solely open to day-trip guests previous to the closure of Maya Bay.
But it surely’s been one of many nation’s most well-known points of interest over the past 20 years, thanks a lot partly to the worldwide success of “The Seaside,” a part of which was filmed there.
“The Seaside,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was based mostly on the 1996 novel of the identical identify by Alex Garland.
twentieth Century Fox
On a CNN go to to the realm a number of weeks previous to its closure, customer numbers multiplied by the minute as boats poured out and in of the bay. Many guests to the realm have been day-trippers from Phuket, which is lower than an hour’s journey away by speedboat. In accordance with official figures, the bay was receiving an estimated 5,000 guests per day on common in 2018.
“Maya Bay has been repeatedly receiving curiosity from vacationers all over the world. However this has additionally prompted (the pure space) to deteriorate, particularly the corals,” stated Pure Assets and Surroundings Minister Varawut Silpa-Archa within the assertion issued November 14.
“After shutting down Maya Bay to revive and restore it, up till the current, it has returned to a great situation.”
New entry guidelines
The reopening comes with a number of caveats. Boats won’t be able to enter the bay. As a substitute, drivers must drop passengers off at a pier set behind the island away from the famed cove.
Solely eight speedboats will probably be allowed to dock there at a time, and visits will probably be capped at one hour, with a most of 300 vacationers allowed per spherical, from 10 a.m.-4p.m every day.
This image taken on October 4, 2019 exhibits boats on the Maya Bay boundary line set by the Thai Nationwide Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Division. The seaside is off limits.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Gety Photos
Within the assertion, Varawut stated the federal government is now working to complete the brand new piers and arrange designated areas for water actions, which will probably be prepared for the January 1 reopening.
Presently, boats are allowed to enter the outer limits of the bay. Maya Bay’s shores are off limits, however guests can nonetheless view the seaside from their boat. Snorkeling within the entrance of the bay in designated zones can also be nonetheless permitted.
Thailand reopens to vaccinated vacationers
Incoming fliers who meet the up to date necessities solely want to remain one night time in a government-approved lodge whereas they await the outcomes of a Covid-19 check administered upon arrival.
Vacationers who aren’t totally vaccinated with an accredited vaccine should quarantine in a pre-booked, government-approved lodge for 10 days upon arrival.
The reopening comes on the eve of Thailand’s tourism excessive season. In a press release issued in mid-October, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stated the relief of restrictions was wanted to permit Thailand to make the most of vacationers hoping to go to throughout upcoming winter holidays.
“We should act rapidly however nonetheless cautiously and never miss the chance to entice a few of the year-end and New 12 months vacation season vacationers … to help the various hundreds of thousands of people that earn a residing from our tourism,” he stated.
Previous to the pandemic, tourism contributed round 15% of Thailand’s GDP, in line with World Financial institution figures.
High picture: An aerial view of Phi Phi Leh, with Maya Bay at its heart. Credit score: Adobe Inventory
CNN’s Kocha Olarn contributed to this report.
