The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced its backing of the Reef Protection Factor and new reef safe sunscreen – Coral Care.
TAT hosted a sunscreen swap recently on Ao Nang Beach in Krabi to raise awareness of protecting Thailand’s marine life and this month TAT is hosting another green event – Amazing Krabi Green Fest 2025 – on Noppharat Thara Beach, part of the Phi Phi National Park.
“This year marks 25 years since The Beach, the cult movie that put Thailand, the Phi Phi islands and Maya Bay specifically on the map. Protecting the bay’s natural marine ecosystem is as important as ever to Thailand. The new two month annual closure (1st August – 1st October) is showing significant rehabilitation of the coral reefs and blacktip reef shark populations are improving.
“Helping promote new reef safe and nourishing sunscreens is another small but mighty way the industry and travellers can help protect popular spots in Thailand,” said Worapa Angkhasirisap, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand UK & Ireland.
With “reef-safe” sunscreen claims still largely unregulated, a new certification is helping to set an industry standard: Reef Protection Factor (RPF), developed by the University of Derby, in England, in collaboration with the global creative agency McCann.
RPF is a pioneering certification designed to address the issues around chemical pollution around the world which is impacting our oceans and aiding in the decline of vital ecosystems such as tropical coral reefs. It pushes the industry forward by initially targeting one of the most preventable local stressors facing these ecosystems: harmful chemicals, for example, those used in many sunscreens. With more than 80% of brands still contributing to coral damage, combined with no regulation around the ‘reef-safe’ claims – RPF helps consumers identify products that are truly safe for our delicate marine ecosystems.
Driving industry change
Awareness of RPF and education about harmful sunscreens is now going global through strategic partnerships in key marine regions.
“We believe Reef Protection Factor is a game-changer,” said Jon Elsom, Group Executive Creative Director at McCann. “We’ve been blown away by the positive reception of RPF, and Coral Care™, by all of our incredible global partners. Everyone we’ve spoken to has come on board immediately, from tourist boards to eco organisations to hotel chains. It’s not often you get to work on something that can genuinely change the world.”
Activities include a flagship partnership with Amazing Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in support of its Grand Tourism & Sports Year 2025. The collaboration kicked off with an ‘Amnesty Boat’ event on Railay Beach, Krabi in southern Thailand where beachgoers were invited to exchange their sunscreens for reef-safe Coral Care™ – another breakthrough innovation developed by Stream2Sea in partnership with McCann, tested by the University of Derby.
Commenting on the success of the sunscreen swap, Ms. Worapa Angkhasirisap, Director of TAT UK & Ireland said: “Coral Care and TAT share the same vision, to protect Thailand’s natural beauty. We actively encourage responsible tourism and advocating reef-safe sunscreen promotes more sustainable travel practices. Travellers using RPF-certified sunscreen is a simple yet effective way to minimise environmental impact and preserve the beauty of Thailand’s underwater world – it’s an amazing new product!”
Thailand’s commitment to raising awareness of sustainable travel continues this month with the Amazing Krabi Green Guide Fest 2025 on Hat Noppharat Thara beach. The 4 day event, 15-18 May, showcases local green businesses, food, art and learning with a fun festival vibe.
