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Tourists head to Myanmar islands as Thai reefs decline

Tourists head to Myanmar islands as Thai reefs decline



By Boonleun Promprathankul

The Nation/Asia News Network
Saturday, Mar 16, 2013

Coral bleaching around Thai islands in the Andaman Sea has made a dent in tourism numbers. Many foreign divers have flocked lately to St Luke Island in Myanmar instead.

"They have turned away from Thailand because of the coral bleaching at key diving spots on our side," a source at A-One Diving Co Ltd disclosed.

Based in Ranong, the company has arranged dive trips to various destinations in the Andaman Sea. Some destinations are in Thai waters while others are in Myanmar territory.

"St Luke Island of Myanmar is now becoming world famous," the same source said.

The source said St Luke Island had yet to see a big boom because entry to Myanmar is still subject to complicated procedures and strict regulations. Each trip to the island takes at least seven days and the boats in Myanmar are not very comfortable.

"Despite that, the number of tourists to St Luke Island has now jumped by more than 30 per cent when compared with the previous year," the source pointed out.

He said if coral bleaching in Thai waters continues an increasing number of tourist divers are likely to head to Myanmar.

Ranong Tourism Association president Somchai Ouitekkeng said St Luke Island in southern Myanmar was becoming popular among Asians and Europeans. But, on the bright side, he believed Ranong could still reap benefits from the situation.

"We have the potential to become a gateway to hundreds of islands in southern Myanmar," Somchai said. He said apart from St Luke, the Mergui Islands were also beautiful and had more sights on them.

He said if the plan was successful, it would be possible to arrange for groups of Myanmar tourists to visit Thailand also.

Chang Island, which is close to the Myanmar-Thai border, is just 30 kilometres from Ranong town. It is a famous attraction on the Thai side.

"We can promote Chang Island further while protecting its good environment," Somchai said.

__________________
"Slavery is the daughter of darkness; an ignorant people is the blind instrument of its own destruction; ambition and intrigue take advantage of the credulity and inexperience of men who have no political, economic or civil knowledge. They mistake pure illusion for reality, license for freedom, treason for patriotism, vengeance for justice."-Simón Bolívar

ENT

And some idiot on another thread was trying to "prove" that coral bleaching was a myth because an English (?) judge, a non-scientist said so. Makes you wonder eh?

Of course coral bleaching is going on and yes, it's due to global warming.

ossierob

coral bleaching is certainly a fact and it is my belief also that the main cause is global warming

Wizard of Oz

Coral bleaching is every where, also in Australian waters , the Great Barrier Reef. Aybe global warming, I don't know, does anybody really know? Global warming and cooling has been going on for thousands of years! Despite what some people say. The inhabitants of the planet earth, have little to do with it.

Why is an ice packed country called "Greenland"?

Ok jump on the wagon, say global warming is all,human made... Look at he history!

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If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough.

chitown

Global warming is a myth that has long ago been proven false.

GR3

Yeah but you can put the fear of God up people and then Tax them to the hilt!