Speaking to The Phuket News yesterday, Vice Chairman of Nopharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park Office, Boonam Chuayradom, said, “The request was lodged about two weeks ago. We hope we can get approval within this month.
“The first order is for 125 buoys, 35 large and 90 medium,” he said.
He also admitted that it is not only more buoys that are needed to save the reefs, but that tourists need to change their behaviour as well.
“We have put up so many warning signs in the park and distributed leaflets. Both of these are in three languages. We also always advise the tour guides to communicate with their customers about helping us to maintain our natural resources,” Mr Boonam said.
In addition, Mr Boonam went on to comment on the problem of large amounts of rubbish in the area, which he stated is not the fault of the tourists.
“Most tourists take responsibility for their own rubbish, I have seen them with bags which they put their rubbish into,” he explained
“In my opinion, most rubbish comes from the sea, some from Phuket and some from other places. However, we make sure that our officials clean every day.
“We try our best to maintain our natural resources as much as we can. But we also need some cooperation from tourists and locals as well,” he said.