Phi Phi Park Fee Reduction, Rejected by the Chief – Trying to Find the Balance

Despite calls from local boat operators in Thailand servicing the well known Phi Phi Marine National Park to reduce the admission rates charged from foreign visitors, Sorayuth Tanthian, the chief of the park has rejected such proposals. Local operators have blamed the high cost of admission as one of the reasons for declining numbers to the park. Foreign travellers staying at Krabi resorts in the region such as Anantara Si Kao Resort have the option of planning boat excursions to Phi Phi Marine National Park via the island of Koh Kradan, while other departure points can also be found in Krabi Town and Tonsai Pier. According to the proposals brought forward, boat operators are asking for such reductions as they see the high cost directly related to the decrease in foreign visitor numbers, which according to them have dropped by as much as 60%. Commenting on the matter, Mr Tanthian stated that while rates were high they were not unreasonable while mentioning that restricted visitor numbers would also help in finding solutions for environmental problems. He further added that such a change in rates could only be made at a ministerial level.