Thailand - details of closed diving sites

Thailand has thrived as a diving destination for many years. Beautiful reefs, exotic animals and warm water attracted crowds of tourists. The sudden decision to close 18 popular dive sites caused quite a panic in the diving community. It was taken because of the fading and death of corals. What is the real situation with

ByMarcin Pawelczyk

Published: March 12, 2011 - 18:12

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 07:30

Thailand – details of closed diving sites

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What is the real situation with the closure of diving sites in Thailand? It turns out that, in fact, the diving ban only applies to a very small number of sites that have been the destination of diving expeditions so far. “To say an entire marine park is closed when only one dive site is closed in it is like saying the Grand Canyon is closed when really only one campsite is closed in it,” said Khao Lak, owner of one of Thailand’s dive centres.

From Peter Paulo of CN Asiandivers, we have received information that one Klang Reef dive site in the Phi Phi area has been closed, considered primarily as a snorkelling site. All the dives in the Koh Bida Nai and Koh Bida Nok areas and in the Phi Phi Ley and Phi Phi Don areas are available.

One dive site in the Similan area, East of Eden, has also been closed for maintenance. The remaining 30 dives in this area, as well as dives in the Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock areas are open.
No dive sites in Burma have been closed.

“Overfishing remains the biggest problem for diving sites across Southeast Asia, despite traces of El Ninio being visible in places, but it is a marginal problem for the quality of diving in Phuket, the Similans and Burma,” wrote Peter Paulo.

Source: CN Asiandivers