Maya Bay’s Dream Beach ‘Beach’ reopens after three years

Bangkok.The dream beach on the Thai island of Ko Phi Phi Leh, known from the Hollywood movie “The Beach”, opens its doors to visitors again after more than three years. However, with immediate effect, strict regulations are in place to protect the paradisiacal Maya Bay from the consequences of mass tourism.

The bay with turquoise waters is only open daily from 7 am to 6 pm. The number of guests is limited to 375 tourists per hour, and 4,125 people are allowed to attend per day. Each visit is limited to 60 minutes, and there is also a ban on showers – anyone who breaks this should expect legal consequences. Moreover, boats are no longer allowed to approach the shore from the bay side, but must moor on the other side of the island, according to news website Thayger.

Tourists flood the Gulf after The Beach

After the worldwide success of the movie “The Beach” in 2000, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, tourists from all over the world descended on the beautiful bay. Anchors were thrown carelessly, causing severe damage to marine coral reefs in particular. Due to environmental damage, the Thai government imposed a ban on visits in June 2018, which was supposed to last only a few months. However, in May 2019, it was extended by two and a half years.

The aim of the closure was to help nature – especially coral reefs – recover from years of tourist onslaught. In the meantime, several new corals have been settled, which according to the authorities are slowly but surely developing.

RND / dpa