Tourism
Thai Authorities Launch Pilot Program to Regulate Marine Tourism Vessels
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and the Department of National Parks have initiated a pilot project across three provinces to improve maritime safety and environmental protection.
On August 4, 2026, officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced a collaborative pilot program aimed at regulating tourist vessels. According to Khaosod Online, the initiative focuses on three specific areas across three provinces, with the primary goal of enhancing maritime safety standards and ensuring the sustainable protection of marine resources.
The meeting, chaired by DMCR Director-General Pinsak Suraswadi and DNP Director-General Athapol Charoenshunsa, included representatives from various agencies, such as the Marine Department, the Department of Tourism, and the Royal Thai Navy. The discussions centered on implementing new standards for marine tourism activities and improving the management of mooring buoys to prevent damage to coral reefs and underwater ecosystems.
For travelers and residents, this initiative may eventually lead to more structured boat operations and potentially stricter adherence to environmental guidelines in popular coastal destinations. While the authorities have established a framework for cooperation, specific details regarding which three provinces are included in the pilot phase and the exact timeline for the rollout of new regulations remain to be confirmed. Stakeholders are currently coordinating to align these safety and conservation measures across the participating agencies.
Translated from Thai.
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