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The Thai beach made famous by a film by Leonardo DiCaprio must be closed indefinitely in order to fully recover from over-tourism.
Maya Bay, on the island of Phi Phi Leh in the Andaman Sea, was featured in the 2000 film The beach.
It closed earlier this year to repair the damage to the surrounding coral reef.
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Maya Bay has become a tourist hotspot.
Up to 6000 tourists had ventured each day to the beach.
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Authorities had initially indicated that the closure would be of four months duration, but they have now extended it.
Leonardo DiCaprio (center) played in The Beach.
Songtham Sukswang, Director of the Office of National Parks, said Reuters"It takes at least a year, maybe two years or more, for the environment to recover – that includes coral reefs, mangroves and the beach."
Maya Bay is only the last place in Thailand to face closure due to the adverse effects of mass tourism. Thai authorities have previously banned tourists from being part of some of the popular islands of Koh Kai and Koh Tachai.
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Maya Bay needs more time to recover.
