KRABI, April 18 (TNA) – Blacktip reef sharks continue to
return to Thailand’s Maya Bay which has been closed for rehabilitation since
last year.
Rangers of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park
released a video clip showing over 20 blacktip reef sharks at the Bay made
famous by the 2000 Hollywood film “The Beach.”
The consistent appearance of the sharks showed significant
progress of coral restoration and beach recovery over the past 10 months, they
said.
Experts and volunteers have planted coral and collected data
as park rangers enforcing strict prohibition of tourism activities which have
been blamed for ecological degradation.
The National Park also announced on Thursday to keep the Bay
closed indefinitely to allow further restoration. 
Woraphot Lomlim, head of the National Park, said ecologists
had collected data to determine the condition which would take at least 4-5
years for fully restored.
“It is too early to
say when the Maya Bay will be opened to tourists again,” he said.(TNA)
