The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has announced the closure of tourism activities around the Similan and Surin Islands in Phang Nga Province for five months to allow nature to recover.
On 15 May 2026, reporters at the Ban Thap Lamu tourist pier, Lam Kaen Subdistrict, Thai Muang District, Phang Nga Province, observed foreign tourists boarding boats to visit Similan National Park before the tourism closure on 16 May. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation declared a five-month closure of tourism around the Similan and Surin Islands, Phang Nga Province, from 16 May to 15 October 2026. This measure aims to allow nature to recover and to prevent dangers caused by unstable weather during the monsoon season.
According to Similan National Park authorities, the island closure during this period is an annual ongoing measure to preserve the marine ecosystem balance and to reduce impacts from tourism activities that may disturb marine life, especially coral reefs and rare sea creatures.
Similarly, Surin National Park will close its tourism areas during the same period. Tourists will be able to return to enjoy the abundant natural beauty of both island groups again in mid-October, marking the start of a new tourist season. Notably, 15 May is the last day tourists can visit the Similan Islands before the closure.