Good news for Thailand's seas! The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has reported the results of its November 2026 blacktip reef shark survey at Maya Bay in Krabi. A record 451 sharks were spotted, the highest count since monitoring began in 2023.

During the survey on 3-9 November, a research team and students from Prince of Songkhla University surveyed the bay, using drones, underwater cameras and water quality tests to collect data. They found that the sharks were most active in the early morning, with an average of nearly 329 sightings. The team spotted both adult and young sharks in the shallows, where healthy seawater quality helps marine life thrive.

This success reflects the effectiveness of the ongoing area closures for ecological recovery and strict tourism management. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has instructed officials to continue their research and to keep a healthy balance between conservation and ecotourism.

Visitors and the public are urged to follow park rules and travel responsibly, so that Maya Bay remains a sustainable marine nursery for future generations.

The return of the sharks proves that when nature gets a chance to rest, Thailand’s seas can thrive again as a haven for marine life.