Hat Chao Mai National Park is going to stop water activities such as snorkelling near the coral reef by Kradan Island in Trang province from Wednesday because the coral is starting to bleach.
The suspension is happening because they are worried that the activities could make the coral bleaching worse. It will continue until the situation improves, according to the park’s administration. Tourists can still do activities outside the areas where these activities are being stopped.
Meanwhile, a Thai PBS team, along with environmental expert Thon Thamrongnawasawat, examined the coral bleaching off the southern coast of Man Island, in Rayong province, and discovered that over 80% of the coral there is bleaching.
Thon mentioned that the seawater temperature has been consistently rising above 30oC and the rain only helps to slightly lower the temperature. If coral bleaching continues, it will impact the marine ecosystem and fisheries, because the corals are the homes of many marine species, according to Thon.
