The quartet are all a part of Haad Chao Mai National Park. Koh Muk is home to the beautiful Tham Morakot, or Emerald Cave in English. The cave is an inlet of the Andaman Sea and one of the most famous attractions in the region.
The visitor ban became effective on 1 June 2016 and lasts until 1 September. This period roughly coincides with the annual monsoon season and is a time when tourist numbers typically taper off anyway.
Manote Wongsureerat is the chief ranger at Haad Chao Mai. He explained that it was necessary to prohibit tourists from visiting the islands for the time being to allow them to rehabilitate. Recent warm sea temperatures have bleached staghorn and other corals which are endemic to the islands.
Although Koh Muk is temporarily off limits, Trang has a multitude of other draws for tourists to enjoy. These include the island of Koh Libong, Pakmeng Beach, Kuan Khang Hot Springs and Chao Mai Cave.
Visitors barred from Trang marine park islands for rest of wet season
News in Asia
Thai national park authorities in the southern Thai province of Trang have banned visitors from four islands for the next four months. The four islands covered by the ban are Koh Kradan, Koh Muk, Koh Chueak and Koh Waen.