Other rules including: a requirement for diving operators to ask for permission to do activities in national marine park territories; a requirement for diving operators to be equipped with first-aid and life-saving equipment; if an operator’s action was deemed damaging to tourism, their licence would be revoked and they would also be fined. There is also a requirement for operators to ask about tourists’ chronic illnesses beforehand.

The rules were tabled at an urgent meeting yesterday between Krabi Governor Pinit Boonlert and tourism-related agencies including three national marine parks and marine police. Krabi has reported 10 million visitors per year including those coming from neighbouring provinces of Phuket and Phang Nga.