Rules for Coral Collection & Coral Souvenirs in Thailand

On a recent trip to Chaweng Noi Beach in Koh Samui, I picked up a few pieces of washed up coral on the shoreline. The shapes fascinated the kids, so we took them back to the hotel with us.

It suddenly dawned on me that while I know touching or taking live coral from the ocean is illegal, I wasn’t aware of the rules around dead coral washed up on the beach, or for purchasing souvenirs.

That evening I did some research online, and we duly returned the coral to the beach the following morning.

So what are the rules regarding coral collection and purchase in Thailand?

Coral Collection in Thailand

A coral reef is a diverse underwater ecosystem primarily made up of coral polyps, which are tiny, sac-like animals that secrete calcium carbonate to form hard skeletons. These skeletons accumulate over time to create large, intricate structures. Coral reefs are found…