Officials pursue legal action after tourist filmed walking on coral near Maya Bay
The incident, captured on video by a tour guide and widely shared online, shows a male tourist snorkelling before standing directly on coral formations ‒ a practice widely condemned as harmful to fragile marine…
Park officials are preparing legal action after a tourist was filmed standing on coral while snorkelling near Maya Bay in Krabi on April 20, in footage that has circulated widely online. The video, recorded near Viking Cave on Phi Phi Leh Island, prompted Hat Nopparat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park to begin tracking those involved, with Phuket among the destinations closely tied to boat traffic through the Phi Phi islands.
The clip shows a male tourist entering a shallow reef area and standing directly on coral formations, an act officials said can cause significant and lasting damage to fragile marine ecosystems. Park chief Saengsuree Songthong said the protected waters support coral reefs, blacktip reef sharks and other species important to the bay’s ecological balance.
Restricted reef zones marked by buoys, ropes and signs
Authorities said the waters around Viking Cave are divided into clearly marked zones with red buoys and rope barriers. Outer sections are open for snorkelling, but inner shallow reef areas are strictly off-limits to prevent physical damage.
Officials said multilingual signs are posted prominently throughout the area, while rangers monitor tourist activity and daily tide schedules are issued to help tour operators plan visits safely. The park has also added more signage and reinforced no-go zones, especially in vulnerable reef sections and during low tide.
Tour company and guides also under investigation
The park is investigating the tour company linked to the incident and reviewing whether guides failed in their duty to control tourist behaviour. Officials said penalties are expected under national park regulations and warned that ignorance of the rules will not be accepted as an excuse.
Separately, the guide who filmed the footage said tourists stepping on coral happens “almost daily”, particularly during peak hours when monitoring may be stretched. He also accused some operators of failing to properly brief visitors on environmental rules, as officials urged the public to report violations directly to park staff or via hotlines.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/officials-react-after-tourist-caught-coral-walking-at-maya-bay-100054.php
