In an effort to protect the country’s national parks, Thailand has banned the use of sunscreen containing chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
1. The ban
Thailand is renowned for its beautiful beaches, rainforests and tranquil islands, all of which form the county’s national park network, and the new regulation aims to protect these areas and their marine ecosystems. The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) issued a proposal banning all sunscreens containing oxybenzone (benzophenone-3, BP-3), octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate), 4-methylbenzylid camphor (4MBC), and butylparaben as studies show that these chemicals cause coral bleaching as well as destroying its reproductive system. The proposal was then announced in the Royal Gazette, a process that results in a proposal becoming law.
2. Harmful substances
Coral is a vital part of the sea’s ecosystem and the chemicals butylparaben, methylbenzyl, octinoxate, and oxybenzone have all been linked to damaging coral reefs in Thailand. The chemicals are commonly found in many off the shelf sunscreen brands, and so the ban on these products aims to stop the spread of these products into the ecosystem and therefore slow down the damage caused to the coral, which can take years to reverse. As of Wednesday 4th August, anybody who violates the regulation can face a fine of up to 100,000 baht (around €2,540). Thailand often takes active measures to protect its wonderful nature, for example closing off national parks if they are becoming over visited and damaged. Maya Bay, which became famous for being featured in the popular film The Beach, was famously closed in order to prevent coral bleaching caused by boats bringing thousands of tourists there each day. Elsewhere Palau, another popular tropical tourist destination, has also banned harmful sunscreens from the islands.
