Thailand has banned sunscreens containing toxic chemicals that damage coral from all of its marine national parks. Concerns are growing in the country that the lotions tourists use for sun protection are hampering the growth of their corals. The Thai Department of Conservation said four ingredients commonly found in sun creams were shown to obstruct coral reproduction, destroy coral larvae and cause coral bleaching. Anyone defying the ban can be fined up to 100,000 baht (£2,100).
However, officials have not commented on how they plan to enforce the new rule yet. The banned lotions are those containing 4-methyl benzylidene camphor, oxybenzone, butylparaben or octinoxate. Similar bans have been introduced by the Pacific island of Palau and the US state of Hawaii.
This is the latest attempt by the Thai government to protect its precious coral from the wrath of the tourism industry. Maya Bay, on the island of Phi Phi Leh – made famous by its appearance in the film The Beach – has been closed since 2018 after most of its coral was destroyed.
