![](https://images.suitcasemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/10151510/five-places-tackling-the-pressures-of-overtourism_653a22214f60d.jpeg)
Thailand
Plenty of people can attribute South Asian pilgrimages to a
shirtless Di Caprio’s discovering of Thailand’s Maya Bay in the
film “The Beach”. There’s no loss of irony that fictional character
Sally (who wished to conceal this paradise from bulldozing
backpackers) was somewhat right. Boat anchors have been damaging
Maya Bay’s coral for years and tourists often leave rubbish,
despite multiple signs and threats of repercussions. Thai
authorities have since been forced to close the island to allow it
a brief respite, although environmentalists warn that a June
to September
break is not long enough. This isn’t the first time the authorities
have clamped down on deteriorating islands; three years ago they
closed Koh Yoong island for similar reasons and since 2016 Similan
Islands National Park has been off-limit to both visitors and
divers.