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Pictures | Tue Jan 4, 2022 | 1:31pm EST

Thailand reopens Maya bay to people after three years of closure

Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. Thailand has reopened Maya Bay, a white sand beach made famous by the 2000 film "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio, more than three years after closing it to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of thousands of visitors each day. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. Thailand has reopened...more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. Thailand has reopened Maya Bay, a white sand beach made famous by the 2000 film "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio, more than three years after closing it to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of thousands of visitors each day. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
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A view of Koh Khai Nok island in Phuket province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. The beach, surrounded by 328-ft (100-metre) high cliffs, lies on the island of Phi Phi Leh in the Andaman Sea, and is only accessible by boats from nearby spots such as the islands of Phuket or Phi Phi, or mainland Krabi. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A view of Koh Khai Nok island in Phuket province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. The beach, surrounded by 328-ft (100-metre) high cliffs, lies on the island of Phi Phi Leh in the Andaman Sea, and is only accessible by boats from nearby spots such as the...more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
A view of Koh Khai Nok island in Phuket province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. The beach, surrounded by 328-ft (100-metre) high cliffs, lies on the island of Phi Phi Leh in the Andaman Sea, and is only accessible by boats from nearby spots such as the islands of Phuket or Phi Phi, or mainland Krabi. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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A tourist poses at Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. Authorities shut the whole of Maya Bay to the public in 2018, saying coral reefs and beach areas had been damaged by constant tourist activities. But since the start of this year some visitors have been allowed to return. "The sharks have come back, coral reefs are regrowing, and the water is clear again," Yuthasak Supasorn, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, told Reuters. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A tourist poses at Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. Authorities shut the...more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
A tourist poses at Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. Authorities shut the whole of Maya Bay to the public in 2018, saying coral reefs and beach areas had been damaged by constant tourist activities. But since the start of this year some visitors have been allowed to return. "The sharks have come back, coral reefs are regrowing, and the water is clear again," Yuthasak Supasorn, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, told Reuters. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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Tourists visit Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. To ensure it remains protected, authorities said only up to 375 visitors will be allowed to visit at one time and swimming will be prohibited for now. Boats will only be allowed to dock at a designated location at the back of the bay to avoid damaging coral reefs, they said. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Tourists visit Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. To ensure it remains...more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
Tourists visit Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. To ensure it remains protected, authorities said only up to 375 visitors will be allowed to visit at one time and swimming will be prohibited for now. Boats will only be allowed to dock at a designated location at the back of the bay to avoid damaging coral reefs, they said. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. Before the coronavirus pandemic, tourism accounted for about 12% of Thailand's economy and was a key driver of growth, with the country attracting 40 million visitors in 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. Before the coronavirus...more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. Before the coronavirus pandemic, tourism accounted for about 12% of Thailand's economy and was a key driver of growth, with the country attracting 40 million visitors in 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
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A Thai wildlife department officer wearing a face mask stands guard as tourists visit Maya Bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A Thai wildlife department officer wearing a face mask stands guard as tourists visit Maya Bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over...more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
A Thai wildlife department officer wearing a face mask stands guard as tourists visit Maya Bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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A partially underwater shot shows the waters at the beach of Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A partially underwater shot shows the waters at the beach of Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province,...more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
A partially underwater shot shows the waters at the beach of Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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A view of Koh Phi Phi Leh where Maya Bay is located as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A view of Koh Phi Phi Leh where Maya Bay is located as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022....more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
A view of Koh Phi Phi Leh where Maya Bay is located as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Athit...more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
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A tourist visits Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A tourist visits Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
A tourist visits Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Athit...more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
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Tourists visit Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Tourists visit Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
Tourists visit Maya Bay as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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A view of Koh Phi Phi Leh where Maya Bay is located as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A view of Koh Phi Phi Leh where Maya Bay is located as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022....more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
A view of Koh Phi Phi Leh where Maya Bay is located as Thailand reopens its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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A sunset is pictured at Koh Khai Nok in Phuket province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A sunset is pictured at Koh Khai Nok in Phuket province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
A sunset is pictured at Koh Khai Nok in Phuket province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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A view of Koh Khai Nok island in Phuket province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A view of Koh Khai Nok island in Phuket province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
A view of Koh Khai Nok island in Phuket province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Athit...more

Reuters / Tuesday, January 04, 2022
Tourists visit Maya bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach after closing it for more than three years to allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of over tourism, at Krabi province, Thailand, January 3, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
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