<p>Thailand&nbsp;on Wednesday banned sunscreens containing chemicals that damage coral reefs from its marine national parks.</p>

<p>The kingdom's sandy beaches have long been popular destinations for millions of tourists but concerns are growing that the lotions they use as protection from the tropical sun are harming delicate, slow-growing corals.</p>

<p>An order came into force on Wednesday banning lotions containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor or butylparaben from&nbsp;Thailand's marine national parks.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/we-need-to-rethink-our-role-on-planet-if-corals-cannot-be-saved-538687">'We need to rethink our role on planet if corals cannot be saved'</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/we-need-to-rethink-our-role-on-planet-if-corals-cannot-be-saved-538687/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The announcement said the science showed the chemicals "deteriorate coral reefs, destroy coral larvae, obstruct their reproductive system and cause coral reef bleaching".</p>

<p>Thailand&nbsp;follows the Pacific island of Palau and the US state of Hawaii which have already imposed similar bans.</p>

<p>Violators face a fine of up to 100,000 Thai baht ($3,000) though officials have not said how they plan to enforce the ban.</p>

<p>Thailand's key tourism sector has been devastated by the pandemic as the government imposed tough entry restrictions as part of efforts to curb the virus.</p>


Thailand on Wednesday banned sunscreens containing chemicals that damage coral reefs from its marine national parks. The kingdom's sandy beaches have long been popular destinations for millions of tourists but concerns are growing that the lotions they use as protection from the tropical sun are harming delicate, slow-growing corals.

Thailand on Wednesday banned sunscreens containing chemicals that damage coral reefs from its marine national parks. The kingdom's sandy beaches have long been popular destinations for millions of tourists but concerns are growing that the lotions they use as protection from the tropical sun are harming delicate, slow-growing corals. An order came into force on Wednesday banning lotions containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor or butylparaben from Thailand's marine national parks. WATCH | 'We need to rethink our role on planet if corals cannot be saved' × The announcement said the science showed the chemicals "deteriorate coral reefs, destroy coral larvae, obstruct their reproductive system and cause coral reef bleaching". Thailand follows the Pacific island of Palau and the US state of Hawaii which have already imposed similar bans. Violators face a fine of up to 100,000 Thai baht ($3,000) though officials have not said how they plan to enforce the ban. Thailand's key tourism sector has been devastated by the pandemic as the government imposed tough entry restrictions as part of efforts to curb the virus.

Thailand bans coral-damaging sunscreens

thailand-coral-reefs

Thailand Coral Reefs, News on Thailand Coral Reefs, stories on Thailand Coral Reefs, articles on Thailand Coral Reefs, Thailand Coral Reefs stories at Wion, Thailand Coral Reefs news, Thailand Coral Reefs latest news

thailand coral-reefs

Thailand bans coral-damaging sunscreens