Tourism vs conservation: The controversial cable car plan dividing Thailand

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The government has revived controversial plans to build a cable car in Phu Kradeung National Park, a hidden gem whose pristine mountains have long been accessible to hikers only.

 

While the move has excited many tourists and locals, concerns are growing about the project’s potential negative impacts.

 

Phu Kradeung

 

Established as Thailand’s second national park in 1959, Phu Kradeung covers 348 square kilometers of land with its peak rising 1,316 meters above sea level. Phu Kradeung’s relative inaccessibility comes from the high plateau on which its major attractions are perched. The pristine plateau stretches across 60 km² at a height of 1,200 to 1,250 meters above sea level and is adorned with forests, meadows, waterfalls and viewpoints.

 

The park’s name is a combination of two words, Phu (mountain) and Kradeung (bell). Numerous anecdotes surround the origin of the area’s name, with explanations ranging from the distinctive bell shape of the mountain to a local legend that residents used to hear the sound of bells emanating from the plateau on holy days.

 

Hikers have also reported hearing a ringing sound when their trekking poles strike rocks in Phu Kradeung.

 

Every year, thousands of mostly Thai tourists flock to the park to enjoy treks in its forested highlands. The main route runs for over 10 kilometers of an often steep path, but offers beautiful viewpoints, waterfalls, and more for people to enjoy. Porters are also on hand to relieve the burdens of holidaymakers with heavy backpacks and luggage.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-12-12

 

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[hotchilli]

The cable car may offer an option for the less healthy to enjoy the views, but only a percentage of total users.

For the masses it will be just convenience and profits for some.

If it's pristine then let them earn the view by walking and enjoying nature as it is.. pristine.

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

The foreign  individual reported as living in a tent on a beach should get up here. Over 300 visitors, mostly Thai, overnight in tents here to witness a dawn spectacle. As a concerned citizen I may have to report them.

[Lacessit]

The  ringing sound when trekking poles strike rock is very probably due to the rock being phonolite, a rare igneous rock with an unusually high sodium and potassium content. It produces various tones when struck, depending on the size of individual rocks.

 

There was a substantial deposit of phonolite on the road between Port Hedland and Whim Creek, known as Phonolite Hill. It was destroyed by the ignorance of the WA Main Roads department, who used it to make road gravel.