Entry fees to Thailand’s Phi-Phi islands have been reeling in about 1 million baht a day, according to the country’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, since the introduction of the e-ticketing system last July. (Photo source: adventurouskate.com)

Bangkok - Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has earned about 1 million baht (29,000 USD) a day in entry fees, charged to tourists for visiting Phi-Phi islands, since the e-ticket system was introduced last July.

Rakchanok Paenoi, chief of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi-Phi National Park, said revenue from entry fees from the sale of e-tickets has increased by 20-30 per cent to an average of one million baht a day, or a total of 137 million baht since July last year. About 4,000 tourists visit the islands daily.

Since the beginning of April, the number of visitors has increased 2-3 times compared to the same period last year with most being tourists from Russia and Europe, she said, expecting that more tourists will come during the Songkran festival next week.

The department's head Atthaphon Charoenchansa said that the agency will try to promote increased use of e-tickets to cover entry fees to all national parks within two years.

After the closure of the Hat Noppharat Thara Mu Ko Phi-Phi National Park for about two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, the environment and ecological system of several islands have improved, he noted, citing the case of Maya Bay, to which several black-tipped coral sharks have returned.