Thailand rethinks tourism practices as wildlife makes a comeback

Park officials have recorded increased sightings of dolphins, dugongs, reef sharks and primates.- Department of National Park , Wildlife and Plant Conservation Thailand/Facebook

BANGKOK (The Straits Times/ANN): It's the time of the year when millions of tourists usually swarm Thailand's beaches, wade into the sea, troop through forests and soak in waterfalls. This year, with national parks closed and people cooped up at home to contain the coronavirus pandemic, wildlife is getting a breather -- and venturing further out.

Park officials across Thailand have recorded increased sightings of dolphins, dugongs, reef sharks and primates, some with their young, and in places they normally avoid.