Thailand ‘closes’ island

Thailand will indefinitely close the island of Koh Tachai, in Similian Islands National Park, to the public starting on Oct. 15, 2016, so that its ecology can recover from damage done by the many tourists it attracts. Thai officials have stated that tourism has eroded the island’s beaches and damaged its coral reefs. 

The entire park regularly closes May 16-Oct. 15 due to the monsoon season. All of the other islands in the park will reopen as usual on Oct. 15.