Extensive coral bleaching found in 21 marine parks in Thailand

Extensive coral bleaching has been found in 21 marine parks in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand between April and early June, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

According to the department, very serious coral bleaching has been detected in 79 out of 182 locations in the 21 marine parks and bleaching in 71 locations is considered serious, while the bleaching of corals in remaining locations is mild.

Seven marine parks have now been closed to visitors and six other are also closed seasonally. Marine experts have blamed the extensive bleaching this year on the unusually warm sea water.