Thailand’s gorgeous beaches and islands are a magnet for travellers from around the world who want to dive, snorkel, or simply take a dip in the warm tropical waters.
Sadly, the popularity of these idyllic locations has caused damage to coral reefs. One of the issues has been irresponsible boat operators dropping anchors where they shouldn’t. Other causes of damage to corals include visitors stepping on them or wearing sunscreen which contains harmful chemicals.
As part of ongoing efforts to protect Thailand’s coral reefs and marine life, authorities have introduced a range of measures. Visitors to Thailand are asked to follow the rules and play their part in travelling responsibly.
Reduce, Refrain, Rescue
Together with the Department of National Parks (DNP), Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) have implemented a policy known as ‘Reduce, Refrain, Rescue’.
Reduce
This aims to reduce the impact of human activities. This includes banning the use of harmful sunscreens, stopping tourists from feeding fish, and removing rubbish from reefs.
Refrain
The refrain aspect of the policy enables the temporary closure of specific diving and snorkelling sites to minimise potential stress on the corals.
Rescue
The final part of the policy is rescue. This involves relocating some corals to more favourable environments and providing partial shade to shield them from excessive sunlight.
Rules regulating harmful sunscreens
Some sunscreens contain chemicals that are harmful to coral reefs and marine life, and these items are no longer permitted at any of Thailand’s National Parks. Sunscreens which contain any of the chemicals listed here are banned:
- Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3, BP-3)
- Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate)
- 4-Methylbenzylid Camphor (4MBC)
- Butylparaben
Violators can be fined up to 100,000 baht.
The ban was introduced following studies that found several chemical compounds in sunscreen products are harmful to coral reefs. This can result in coral bleaching, the destruction of coral larvae, and damage to the coral’s reproductive system.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
Travellers visiting Thailand’s National Parks are advised to use reef-safe sunscreen or one which uses mineral-based products such as zinc oxide. However, deciding which product is truly reef-safe isn’t as easy as it should be. To help tackle this issue, sunscreens are now available with a certified Reef Protection Factor (RPF) rating.
RPF (Reef Protection Factor) sunscreen
In the same way that sunscreens are labelled with SPF (Sun Protection Factor), it is hoped that they will eventually also have an RPF (Reef Protection Factor) rating. The Reef Protection Factor certification has been developed in collaboration with the University of Derby.
RPF is an official certification mark that verifies whether a product is genuinely safe to use in marine environments, particularly around coral reefs. Backed by rigorous scientific research, it confirms that certified products have no measurable negative effects on coral growth or their symbiotic partners.
Unfortunately, many sunscreens and cosmetic products currently marketed as ‘reef-safe’ do not always meet credible safety standards, and this can confuse consumers seeking to make responsible choices.
Coral Care and Tourism Thailand
In April 2025, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) partnered with Coral Care, an accredited RPF sunscreen developed by Stream2Sea and tested by the Aquatic Research Facility at the University of Derby. The product is described by Stream2Sea as, “the world’s first sunscreen that nourishes coral reefs.”
An innovative ‘Sunscreen Amnesty’ was launched in Krabi, with travellers able to swap their ordinary sunscreen for the Coral Care reef-safe version. It’s hoped there will be more of these events in the future at different locations in Thailand, and we will add details here as and when they become available.
At the moment, the Coral Care brand is only available online, but work is in progress to stock it internationally in beach resorts.
Using reef-safe sunscreen is a small action with a big impact, helping to preserve the underwater world that makes Thailand so special.”
Ms. Worapa Angkhasirisap, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) UK & Ireland
Q&A with Tourism Thailand
Tourism Thailand is stepping up efforts to improve responsible travel throughout the country and was a proud supporter of the sunscreen amnesty in Krabi. This question and answer (Q&A) session is with Ms. Worapa Angkhasirisap, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) UK & Ireland.
Why is coral conservation so important to Thailand?
“Coral conservation is vital to Thailand for many reasons. Our coral reefs are key to Thailand’s marine biodiversity which is home to a variety of marine life. They also play a crucial role in protecting our coastlines from erosion. Beyond that, coral reefs are a major draw for tourism, offering amazing experiences for visitors who come to explore Thailand’s underwater beauty. In Krabi, for example, where the suncream swap was held, there are lots of fun things to do from snorkelling in the shallow waters off the beaches to boat trips and island-hopping excursions where you can swim, dive, and snorkel with tropical fish, sea turtles, and even reef sharks. Without conservation efforts, coral bleaching and degradation would impact marine life and affect the quality of tourists’ experiences. By protecting our reefs, we’re preserving Thailand’s natural heritage for future generations and travellers to enjoy.”
Do you agree all sunscreens should be RPF-certified to prove if they are reef-safe or not?
“Yes, absolutely. All sunscreens should be safe for the environment, and we’re really excited about RPF-certification as a reliable way to ensure that the products people use are genuinely reef-safe. By encouraging the use of RPF-certified sunscreens, we can significantly reduce the chemical pollution that harms our coral reefs. This is a simple but powerful step toward protecting the marine ecosystems that are so vital to Thailand’s natural identity.”
What does it mean for Tourism Thailand to be supporting Coral Care and RPF?
“We are incredibly proud to be supporting the Coral Care and RPF initiatives. Hosting the sunscreen amnesty event is just one example of how deeply we care about Thailand’s reefs and marine resources. A wider rollout of Coral Care and the introduction of other RPF products would be a clear signal of Thailand’s commitment to sustainable tourism and marine conservation. TAT is proud to be a leader in ecotourism, appealing to environmentally conscious travellers who value responsible travel. We’re excited to be part of a movement that encourages both businesses and tourists to adopt reef-safe practices across the country.”
How do Coral Care and RPF’s coral conservation efforts align with Tourism Thailand’s?
“Coral Care and RPF’s mission aligns perfectly with Amazing Thailand’s vision of sustainable tourism. We all share a commitment to protecting marine life, which is such an essential part of Thailand’s natural appeal. Together, we aim to promote responsible travel, eco-friendly habits, and long-term environmental preservation. TAT is dedicated to balancing tourism growth with sustainability, and the reef-safe awareness work done by Coral Care supports that goal. Advocating for reef-safe sunscreen and coral-friendly products ensures that tourism remains a benefit rather than a burden to our environment.”
Why should people visiting Thailand use Coral Care or other sunscreens with RPF?
“Visitors to Thailand, especially those exploring the beautiful beaches and islands, spend a lot of time in the water. It’s essential that their sunscreen choices reflect a care for the environment they’re visiting. By choosing Coral Care or other RPF-certified sunscreens, tourists can help protect our coral reefs from harmful chemicals. It’s a simple but effective way for travellers to minimise their environmental impact and contribute to Thailand’s conservation efforts. Using reef-safe sunscreen is a small action with a big impact, helping to preserve the underwater world that makes Thailand so special.”
Diving and snorkelling in Thailand
Visitors to Thailand should also be aware of new regulations that were introduced in April 2025 to protect the country’s coral reefs. When booking diving or snorkelling trips in Thailand, look for a responsible tour operator or dive company.
12 of the best locations in Thailand for snorkelling and diving
