'The Beach' is back: Thailand lifts year-long ban on Phi Phi diving

For about a year now, Thailand has not allowed divers to explore the underwater paradise around its Phi Phi National Park.

Due to the bleaching of corals, strained by mass tourism, pollution and climate change, the popular diving and snorkelling areas in the marine park were closed about a year ago to allow the reefs time to recover.

Now, 10 diving spots have been reopened, according to local media. The corals have reportedly recovered significantly, with their vibrant colours returning, National Park Director Saengsiri Chongthong was quoted as saying by newspaper The Nation.

The islands became world-famous at the turn of the millennium. When the Hollywood drama "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio hit cinemas in 2000, the paradise-like ambience of Ko Phi Phi triggered a global hype. While director Danny Boyle told the story of life away from civilization, the film had exactly the opposite effect - with devastating consequences.

For years, legions of tourists made the pilgrimage to the otherwise uninhabited island of Phi Phi Leh to marvel at the heavenly Maya Bay. Around 6,000 people ended up coming every day. As so often happens to famous places, paradise became an overcrowded nightmare. Dozens of boats dropped their anchors into the once intact reef every day, the corals broke, the sharks disappeared and the rubbish piled up.

Authorities are now urging tourists and tour operators to adhere to regulations, such as not throwing rubbish into the sea, not touching the corals and not anchoring on the reefs.

Among the reopened diving spots are areas near the famous Viking Cave on Ko Phi Phi Island and on the northern and eastern sides of Ko Kai Island, also known as Chicken Island.

However, the western side of "Chicken Island" (named after a rock formation resembling a chicken's head) remains closed to diving. The reefs there still need more time to recover.