Thailand closes 'overcrowded' Koh Tachai island to tourists

Andaman Sea island to close for indefinite period from October as record numbers of tourists threaten beaches and coral reefs

Thailand has closed an island in the Andaman Sea to visitors in an attempt to ease the negative effects of tourism on its once-pristine beaches and surrounding coral reefs.

Koh Tachai, an island in the famous Similan national park in south-west Thailand, would close for an "indefinite period" from 15 October, the Bangkok Post reported.