PHUKET, Nov 29 – Coral reefs around Thailand’s famous Phi Phi Islands, situated off the coast of the southern province of Krabi, have been found heavily damaged, following a diving exploration survey on coral reefs in the area, according to Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC).

The Phi Phi Islands, known as the ‘Jewels of the Andaman’ and ‘Mu Ko Phi Phi’ among Thais, is a cluster of six islands in Mu Ko Phi Phi-Nopparathara National Park, including Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Bamboo Island, Yung Island, Bida Nok, and Bida Nai.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), only Ko Phi Phi Don is inhabited, while the other islands are undeveloped and protected by their National Park status, despite being frequently visited as day trip destinations from Phuket, Krabi, and Phi Phi Don.

MCOT