Trang province’s Koh Kradan is set to become a major tourism destination with minimal environmental impact, according to an announcement by Governor Kajornsak Charoensopha on April 26. The plans were developed following discussions with the public and private sectors, and will include an 8 million baht budget for establishing a sustainable tourism center where visitors can access housing, food, and other facilities on the island.
The management team under Hat Chao Mai National Park will oversee activities on Koh Kradan, ensuring that the number of tourists is managed to ensure environmental safety. The team will conduct diving operations to explore coral reefs and collect garbage from seabeds around the island.
Koh Kradan has seen an increase in visitors recently, after being ranked No. 1 in the Top 100 Beaches on Earth by the UK’s World Beach Guide. However, authorities and the public have expressed concern about the sudden influx of tourists, and have agreed that a strategy must be put in place to ensure that the island’s 2.4 square kilometer area is not damaged.
To prevent environmental damage, Koh Kradan and neighboring Koh Chuak, Koh Waen, and Koh Muk islands will be closed for annual rehabilitation from June 1 to September 30. Tourists are welcome to visit the islands during the tourist season, which runs from October 1 to May 31.