Snorkeling at Hat Chao Mai in Trang suspended due to coral bleaching

Park manager Saengsuree Songthong said Monday that officials had been monitoring the situation amid increasing concerns about bleaching of coral reef ecosystems. The park has decided to suspend tourist activities near the affected areas to prevent further damage to the corals, he added.

Coral bleaching is caused by rising ocean temperatures linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon and global warming. This causes the colorful algae that live in the corals, called zooxanthellae, to be expelled or die, causing the coral reefs to appear stripped of their color.

Saengsuree said other beach activities on Ko Kradan as well as swimming in other areas of the park would still be allowed, adding that the move was aimed at minimizing the impact on the tourism industry, which is Trang’s main economic driver.

Saengsuree added that about 70% of coral reefs near Ko Kradan are currently bleaching. He expressed confidence that nature will recover soon, especially without human activities hindering this process.

“In addition, the park remains closed every year during the monsoon season from June 1 to September 30, during which the sea temperature drops, accelerating the rehabilitation process of the corals,” he said.