National park officials collected six large bags of plastic waste from Loh Samah Bay near Maya Bay, as new DMCR and Pollution Control Department data show plastic debris remains a major threat to Thailand’s seas, coral reefs and rare marine animals.

A team of researchers from the Marine National Park Research Centre in Trang has discovered 158 blacktip reef sharks in Maya Bay, marking a new record and a hopeful sign for the health of the marine ecosystem. This breakthrough highlights the ongoing success of conservation efforts in the area.