Thailand Closes 18 Coral Reef Diving Sites

Dive sites in 7 national parks across Thailand have been closed in response to coral bleaching that has affected up to 80% of corals surveyed.

According to the Bangkok Post, the sites affected are:

Hat Chao Mai National Park in Trang, Mu Koh Petra and Tarutao national parks in Satun, Mu Koh Chumphon National Park in Chumphon, Hat Nopparat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park in Krabi, and Mu Koh Surin and Mu Koh Similan national parks in Phangnga.

The bleaching is attributed to elevated sea temperatures in past years. Closing the sites off to tourists will certainly reduce damage from irresponsible divers and waders (see this photo (via NYT) for something horrifying), but it will not do anything about the coral bleaching itself.