Pattaya-
Scuba divers, sea walkers, tourist and restaurant boats may face new restrictions as the government moves to protect Pattaya’s Near Islands.
Chonburi Deputy Gov. Wisit Pungpetch chaired a June 13 meeting on a Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment draft announcement that would designate Koh Larn, Koh Sak and Koh Krok as protected environmental areas.
The latest draft is the third to be issued in the past nine years with none of them having been implemented.
Wisit explained the contents of the draft announcement and said meetings and public hearings eventually will be scheduled.
Impacted will be “sea walkers” who use surface-supplied air to walk on the sea bed – and far too often on top of coral reefs – scuba divers, tourist boats and restaurant boats.
It is also being discussed limiting the number of daily tourists to Koh Larn, however, Koh Larn business owners have told City Hall they do not support this solution.
