Why swimming at a popular beach can lead to an up to ₹29,000 fine in Thailand?

Swimming in the Maya Bay, a beach in Thailand popularised by the 2000 movie 'The Beach', can result in fines of up to 10,000 baht (over ₹29,000). The penalty was imposed by authorities to protect the region's marine life and the coral ecosystem, which had been damaged by unchecked tourism. It was reopened in 2022 after years of restoration activities.