This Dreamy Thai Island Is Closing Because Tourists Are Destroying It

If you've ever caught two planes, three boats and four different stomach bugs to get to an impossibly blue water, white sand, out-this-world island off the coast off Southeast Asia, you've probably felt its beauty is so paramount that you, mere mortal, weren't even supposed to be there. And as it turns out, you're not. Koh Tachai is the latest small island to feel the sting of strong tourist numbers — so much so that Thai authorities are closing it completely.

You can just close an entire island? You sure can. According to the Bangkok Post, the island, which is part of the Similan National Park off Phang-nga province on the west coast, will be a total no-go zone for all visitors starting October 15. This includes the shoreline, beaches and reefs too.

The decision to close the island is an attempt to ease the negative effect of tourism and too much human impact on the fragile piece of paradise. The coral reef is one of the best in the world, and attracts a lot of divers and tourists in high season. At times there would be over 1000 people on the beach when, technically, it was only meant to hold 70.

"Thanks to its beauty, Koh Tachai has become a popular tourist site for both Thai and foreign tourists. This has resulted in overcrowding and the degradation of natural resources and the environment," Tunya Netithammakul, director general of Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation, told the Bangkok Post.

"We have to close it to allow the rehabilitation of the environment both on the island and in the sea without being disturbed by tourism activities before the damage is beyond repair."

Shutting down an entire island is a drastic measure, but it's part of a growing trend to limit the numbers of people visiting high traffic tourist sites. Earlier this year, Cinque Terre announced they would be capping visitors at 1.5 million to preserve local culture. Something to think about before you plan your next exotic getaway.

Via Bangkok Post. Image: Mu Ko Similan National Park of Thailand.