[ad_1]
A beach in Thailand made famous by the movie Leonardo DiCaprio is closed indefinitely.
The country's authorities announced earlier this year that they were closing Maya Bay on the island of Ko Phi Phi for a period of four months in order to help it recover from the effects of tourism.
However, as a result of an investigation, it was found that in order for the island to be fully protected from erosion and pollution, the beach had to be closed indefinitely.
A statement from the Department of National Parks said: "The ecosystem and physical structure of the beach have been fully restored until natural resources return to normal."
The island spot was made famous by the 2000 film The Beach, directed by Danny Boyle. It has become a must for those traveling to Thailand.
Crowds of tourists pose for photos on Mayan Bay in Thailand (AP)
Environmentalists say that heavy boat traffic and increasing visitor numbers have damaged the ecosystem of the beach and the surrounding area.
Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat of Kasetsart University in Bangkok told the South China Morning Post, "When I first came here 38 years ago, this place was a paradise. Everything was coral once but now there is nothing left.
Until its closure, the island received daily up to 5,000 tourists.
Up to 5,000 tourists visited the beach a day (AP)
The news comes as the Philippines prepares to reopen Boracay after the flood of tourists.
Boracay has been closed for six months and is expected to reopen officially on October 26th.
An environmental official said only 19,000 tourists will be allowed in Boracay each day.
Water and leisure activities, including consumption on the beach, will be prohibited.
Source link
