Thailand’s new laws impact major tourism hotspots

Haad Rin, Ko Phangan, Thailand - August 29, 2007: A Thai woman sells buckets of soft drinks and liquor to visitors celebrating the monthly Full Moon Party in Haad Rin, a beach destination on the island of Ko Phangan, Thailand

Thailand is implementing some tough laws to combat pollution on its coral beaches.

The measures will see a ban on fishing, fish feeding, anchoring on reefs, construction and walking on seabeds on many of its popular islands.

In particular, tourism hotspots Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Pha-ngan, the home of the famous Full Moon Party, will each be impacted by the laws.

Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Director Jatuporn Burutphat said: “The amount of garbage and wastewater on these islands is so big that it will become unbearable in the near future, and we have to think about the future.”

Burutphat added that tourists who break these laws will be fined 100,000 baht ($A4154) and could face jail time.

Full Moon Party, Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan, Thailand

The new laws will be implemented in July.

Thailand also recently made a promise to rectify its ‘sex tourism’ reputation.

Making-over this ‘sex’ image of Thailand has been a longtime goal of the country, however, was thrust into the public light again last week when Thai police arrested a group of 10 Russians who, according to Channel NewsAsia, “were running a sex training class”.

As a result of the arrest, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) released this statement:

“The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) ensures that its marketing strategy and policy to move Thailand forward as the ‘Quality Destination’ has stepped in the right direction … and strongly opposes any form of sex tourism.”

As per Channel NewsAsia, parlours offering “soapy massages” as well as “happy ending” massages have amped up Thailand’s reputation as a sex destination.

There are about 123,530 sex workers in Thailand, according to a 2014 UNAIDS report.

In the statement last week, TAT Governer Yuthasak Supasorn said the country places huge importance on its tourism industry as a means of livelihood for many Thai and international people.

In October of last year, Thailand began banning smoking on more than 20 popular tourist beaches.

According to The SMH, those who break the ban will be fined up to 10,000 Thai baht, roughly AUD$3850, and possibly face a maximum jail term of one year.

The move followed a study of Patong Beach in Phuket, which, on the short 2.5km sandy bay, found an average of 0.76 cigarette butts per square metre, amounting to around 101,058 butts all up.

Advertise with us

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

environment Koh Samui litter Sex-Tourism thailand