Thailand’s idyllic Maya Bay to reopen on January 1

13 Sept 11:09 Key points summarised by AI

Maya Bay will reopen on January 1, 2022, after a three-and-a-half-year closure aimed at rehabilitating its natural environment, severely impacted by excessive tourism.
New regulations will limit visitors to 300 per day, with each allowed a maximum one-hour visit between 10 am and 4 pm, to prevent overcrowding and protect the ecosystem.
To safeguard coral reefs, speedboats must dock at Losama Bay, not directly in front of Maya Bay, and tourist swimming will be restricted to within 50 meters of the beach.
The closure has significantly improved the bay's natural environment, including the recovery of coral reefs and an increase in rare marine and land species.

Lamphun in a New Light

Today 15:02 Key points summarised by AI

Lamphun illuminates its ancient city with two concurrent light festivals: the high-tech VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN and the traditional Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival.
VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN transforms historic landmarks into an outdoor gallery, using projections and multimedia to animate Lamphun's history, including Queen Chamadevi's story.
The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival, part of Yi Peng, fills temples and streets with countless traditional lanterns, symbolizing Buddhist devotion and personal wishes.
These festivals offer a unique after-dark experience, blending contemporary light art with centuries-old Lanna traditions, connecting visitors to Lamphun's past and faith.