THAILAND – The National Park Department announced on October 16 that chemical sunscreens containing certain ingredients had been banned in all marine national parks, and that visitors who violated the rule could face fines of up to 100,000 baht (about 3,000 euros).
Ban targets four chemicals
The department named four substances now prohibited in sunscreen used in marine protected areas: oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and butylparaben. Officials said those chemicals are known to damage coral ecosystems.
“These chemicals damage coral reefs directly, by preventing the development of coral larvae, disrupting reproduction and contributing to coral bleaching,” said Atthaphol Charoenchansa, director-general of the National Park Department. He warned the effects could ultimately lead to the death of entire coral stocks.
Reef-safe sunscreen requirement
Tourists were urged to use sunscreens labeled “Reef Safe” or “Reef Friendly.” The guidance is part of a wider set of rules designed to reduce direct human pressure on reefs. Visitors were also reminded not to touch, walk on or manipulate corals, to keep at least two metres from reef structures, to refrain from throwing waste into the sea and to follow instructions from park rangers.
Enforcement and penalties
The National Park Department instructed all marine parks to enforce the new regulation rigorously. Violations are punishable under paragraph 20 in connection with paragraph 47 of the 2019 National Park Act, with fines set at up to 100,000 baht for offenders.
Officials said the high penalties underline the government’s commitment to protecting marine environments that are already stressed by warming seas and heavy visitor numbers.
Pressure on Thailand’s reefs
Thailand’s coral reefs are a major tourist draw and are under increasing strain. Millions of visitors travel each year to marine parks such as the Similan Islands, the Surin Islands and Ang Thong. Authorities said the new measures formed part of a broader strategy to preserve those marine treasures for future generations.
“We must bring tourism into harmony with environmental protection,” Atthaphol said, stressing that stricter rules were necessary to safeguard fragile underwater ecosystems.
What travellers should do
Travel advisers recommended that visitors check the ingredients list on their sunscreen before arriving in Thailand and, if necessary, purchase biodegradable or reef-safe alternatives. Many drugstores and supermarkets in the country are reported to stock such products.
Officials cautioned that non-compliance did not only carry a financial cost but also contributed to the degradation of the underwater world that attracts so many visitors. Will tourists adapt their sun-care routines to help protect Thailand’s reefs?