Thai dive sites may be closed due to coral bleaching

Coral bleaching has damaged Thailand's Andaman Sea reefs more severely than the 2004 tsunami, said the Thai National Parks Director.

Bleaching corals
from the The Bangkok Post 8 May 10;

The Director of Research, National Parks, Thailand, Dr Songtam Suksawang, said 93.6% of coral at Surin, the Similans, Phi Phi, Racha and Phuket are dead. The coral bleaching rates by site are: Surin Island, 99.9%; Thachai Island 84%; Surin South 85%; Similan Island 89.3%. The species affected are the Staghorn, Ring, Double Star and Mountain coral