The Thai province of Trang wants Ko Kradan to be recognized as the best beach in the world in order to revive the tourism industry after three years of decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Government agencies, local businesses and investors met to discuss plans to develop sustainable tourism with minimal impact on the island.
However, the surge in tourists has raised concerns about potential harm to the small 2.4 square kilometer island located in Hat Chao Mai National Park, just 10 kilometers off the Thai mainland. In response, the government is promising to establish a permanent national park management team to manage the island and preserve its natural environment.
The team will be responsible for organizing ship acceptance, scuba diving and waste disposal on the island. It will also control the number of tourists, although the details of the quota for tourists have not yet been disclosed. At the same time, the 8 million baht budget will be used to set up a tourism center where visitors to the island can access accommodation, food and other services.
In addition, local dive operators organize trips to collect debris from the seabed and explore the coral reefs.
From June 1 to September 30, the National Park will close Koh Kradan and the neighboring islands of Koh Chuak, Koh Vaen and Koh Muk for four months during the monsoon period. The tourist season will resume from October 1 and will last until May 31.
