Ten Famous National Parks To Limit Visitors

[ianh68h]

That was discussed at length in the above linked thread and around a dozen other threads. It's not the official policy and in no way is it a uniform policy. In some parks, it works... in others, it's of no more value than tissue paper.

I agree it's not Thai vs Farang, it's Thai vs Foreigners... the same as the signs and law reads.

Tax status has absolutely nothing to do with it. Neither does it have anything to do with one's tourist/non-tourist status.

Where do I stand if I am retired to Thailand and living here permanently? Am I Farang or Foreigner here? (To preserve the eco system I do not own a car, by the way)

[h90]

Charge the Thais the same entrance fee as the Ferrangs - That'll keep the numbers (and trash) under control.

Took the family to vist to Kao Yai National Park last week. Drove 2 hours from Korat. Upon arrival at the entrance to the park there's a large sign displaying the entrance fees for visitors. I couldn't believe my eyes upon seeing the following:

Thais - Bht. 40

Foreigners - Bht. 400.

We were so disgusted with this. Even my Thai wife couldn't understand the reasoning behind the above rates!

Needless to say, we went elsewhere! So much for 'Welcoming Thailand'

I have a big problem with this dual pricing system. I agree with Tuky that it is inherently racist. Until it is changed I am proud enough to deny myself the pleasure of these parks. There are plenty of other places to go.

No it is not racist! Any holder of a Thai ID card pays 40 Baht, no matter what race he is. While any foreigner even if they are Thai race but without Thai nationality pay (at least theoretical) the foreigner price.

I disagree with that law but it is not racistic.

[Smithson]

Charge the Thais the same entrance fee as the Ferrangs - That'll keep the numbers (and trash) under control.

Took the family to vist to Kao Yai National Park last week. Drove 2 hours from Korat. Upon arrival at the entrance to the park there's a large sign displaying the entrance fees for visitors. I couldn't believe my eyes upon seeing the following:

Thais - Bht. 40

Foreigners - Bht. 400.

We were so disgusted with this. Even my Thai wife couldn't understand the reasoning behind the above rates!

Needless to say, we went elsewhere! So much for 'Welcoming Thailand'

I have a big problem with this dual pricing system. I agree with Tuky that it is inherently racist. Until it is changed I am proud enough to deny myself the pleasure of these parks. There are plenty of other places to go.

I'm told if you pay tax and have the receipts then you can get in for Thai price. Has anyone tried this?

[Old Man River]

Charge the Thais the same entrance fee as the Ferrangs - That'll keep the numbers (and trash) under control.

Took the family to vist to Kao Yai National Park last week. Drove 2 hours from Korat. Upon arrival at the entrance to the park there's a large sign displaying the entrance fees for visitors. I couldn't believe my eyes upon seeing the following:

Thais - Bht. 40

Foreigners - Bht. 400.

We were so disgusted with this. Even my Thai wife couldn't understand the reasoning behind the above rates!

Needless to say, we went elsewhere! So much for 'Welcoming Thailand'

I have a big problem with this dual pricing system. I agree with Tuky that it is inherently racist. Until it is changed I am proud enough to deny myself the pleasure of these parks. There are plenty of other places to go.

I'm told if you pay tax and have the receipts then you can get in for Thai price. Has anyone tried this?

I have never tried that, but my Thai driver's license works fine.

[sriracha john]

That was discussed at length in the above linked thread and around a dozen other threads. It's not the official policy and in no way is it a uniform policy. In some parks, it works... in others, it's of no more value than tissue paper.

I agree it's not Thai vs Farang, it's Thai vs Foreigners... the same as the signs and law reads.

Tax status has absolutely nothing to do with it. Neither does it have anything to do with one's tourist/non-tourist status.

Where do I stand if I am retired to Thailand and living here permanently? Am I Farang or Foreigner here? (To preserve the eco system I do not own a car, by the way)

If you have a Thai National ID Card, you are Thai.

If you don not have a Thai National ID Card, you are Foreigner.

[sriracha john]

To a couple of issues raised in this latest version of an old-ish topic...

The racist angle... and the ability to pay the Thai rate when not a Thai National ID Card holder...

from Meadish's linked thread above...

If you go in the parks with Thai's (family) and have Thai driving license, show it when you go in and 9 times out of ten you will get in at Thai prices, especially if you joke that you are falaang Lao and not falaang tourist.

Also at some parks the driver go's in free. That always upsets the person collecting the fees when the driver is a falaang.

As with many things in Thailand... different experiences in similar situations abound.

I've experienced no greater than perhaps a 20% success rate with what you describe in approximately 30 different National Parks all around the country.

It involves many different factors which can sometimes be as trivial as which employee is manning the gate on any particular day (successful at the same park one day and unsuccessful on another day) or even the mood of the same employee on any given day (successful at the same park one time and unsuccessful on another day with the same employee both times).

Irregardless of whether or not it's successful, it contradicts the official rules on the National Park's own website which dictate simply that there is a rate for Thais and a rate for Foreigners.

The discrimination is not on race but nationality so its natioalist, not racist.

I fear you are wrong with your assessment here. I tried to enter a park with a group of friends from Malaysia and Hong Kong. They were all charged Thai rate despite not understanding or speaking a word of Thai. The man in the booth tried to charge myself and my (half) Thai children, who have Thai citizenship, the full Farang rate.

When asked about this, the guy in charge said they regarded Asians as Thai, Farangs were Farang even when they had Thai ID. We only succeeded in getting in, all of us paying Thai admission, after a long discussion and calling his boss.

The discrimination is based on appearance, (I don't like your face,) not nationality.

It's not in the rules per say, it's in the implementation of the rules at the entrance gate level.

The employees, who are the direct representatives of the government, apply the racist pricing policy on all-too-frequent basis to the point it's discrimination on a government institutional level.

[sriracha john]

It started today. Has anyone experienced it yet?

Limit on park visitors

The Suthep-Pui National Park has started imposing an overnight visitor limit of 500 at its five attractions, but the limit on visitors at Wat Doi Suthep and Phuping Palace will be up for further discussion.

Huai Kaew Falls will take up to 1,100 visitors an hour, Wang Bua Ban Falls 100, Mae Sa Falls 1,300, Mhok Fa Falls 190 and Tad Mhok Falls 100.

Park chief Amporn Panmongkol said the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department's policy to limit the number of visitors at the 10 top national parks was a bid to allow natural resources to recover.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Call for flexibility over park visitors

The new daily attendance limits at 10 national parks should be applied with caution, a member of the National Park Committee said yesterday.

"Having 100 well-behaved visitors is much better than allowing only 50 who aren't aware of their behaviour and don't care about nature," said Thon Thamrongnawasawad, a marine biologist from Kasetsart University.

The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Varieties should come up with other measures to manage tourists and also control the businesses operating in the parks, he said.

Issued late last year, the regulation to limit visitors according to the carrying capacity of each park became effective on Tuesday.

The 10 national parks, all with reputations of being crowded during the high season, included Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep-Pui and Phu Kradueng national parks, and Mu Koh Similan and Mu Koh Surin marine national parks.

Chalermsak Wanichsombat, director-general of the department, said the rule was aimed at letting natural resources recover, but it would cut the number of people passing the gates by half during holidays and by 20 to 30 per cent during regular days. That would erode the parks' incomes, which used to be some Bt400 million per year.

Supachart Wannawong, chief of Phu Kradueng National Park, said all visitors to his park were required to make reservations online. "I wish we would no longer see a picture of overcrowded tents in our park during the peak season anymore," he said.

Thon said each national park should evaluate its environmental condition after imposing the ceiling. He said the cap should not be completely fixed at the same number every year. "It should be flexible depending on the condition of the natural resources of a park in each year," he said.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

the ever-perplexing TAT weighs in...

TAT Governor voices support for measure to limit tourist number in national parks

Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phornsiri Manoharn, says the government’s measure to limit the number of tourists in national parks will not affect the tourism industry and it will help reduce conjestions during long holidays.

The governor says the measure, which has been imposed since July 1st on ten key national parks, will be effective in the long run, adding that it will preserve the environment of the national parks and decrease the number of tourists during long holidays at the same time.

- ThaiNews

[Old Man River]

the ever-perplexing TAT weighs in...

TAT Governor voices support for measure to limit tourist number in national parks

Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phornsiri Manoharn, says the government’s measure to limit the number of tourists in national parks will not affect the tourism industry and it will help reduce conjestions during long holidays.

The governor says the measure, which has been imposed since July 1st on ten key national parks, will be effective in the long run, adding that it will preserve the environment of the national parks and decrease the number of tourists during long holidays at the same time.

- ThaiNews

Seriously, do these people ever listen to themselves?

[Galong]

Call for flexibility over park visitors

Thon said each national park should evaluate its environmental condition after imposing the ceiling. He said the cap should not be completely fixed at the same number every year. "It should be flexible depending on the condition of the natural resources of a park in each year," he said.

- The Nation

Flexibility means nothing is going to change.

If they really want quality they can look at the rangers for a start. At least in Khao Sok, they're more annoying than the tourists. None of the ranger's longtails have mufflers. Some tend to have loud stereo systems that you can hear from a mile away. They wash their dishes and clothes in the reservoir using harsh detergents.

Then there are the commercial fishermen whose numbers are going up. Why are they allowed to live (and poach) in this park in the first place (Rhetorical)?

Then there are all of tacky vendors selling crap... all of which is either in polystyrene or a plastic bag.

Up until last year, my company used to spend upwards around a million baht per year in Khao Sok. I've started promoting other areas, because I love the park and can't stand seeing what it has turned into. The government doesn't know/realize what quality really means when it comes to nature or conservation.

Edited July 3, 2008 by Galong

[farangmal]

Charge the Thais the same entrance fee as the Ferrangs - That'll keep the numbers (and trash) under control.

Took the family to vist to Kao Yai National Park last week. Drove 2 hours from Korat. Upon arrival at the entrance to the park there's a large sign displaying the entrance fees for visitors. I couldn't believe my eyes upon seeing the following:

Thais - Bht. 40

Foreigners - Bht. 400.

We were so disgusted with this. Even my Thai wife couldn't understand the reasoning behind the above rates!

Needless to say, we went elsewhere! So much for 'Welcoming Thailand'

They welcome your 400 baht. Sounds about right.

[JetsetBkk]

..."Having 100 well-behaved visitors is much better than allowing only 50 who aren't aware of their behaviour and don't care about nature," said Thon Thamrongnawasawad, a marine biologist from Kasetsart University...

So a pick-up full of boisterous Thais will be turned away, while a coach load of reserved Chinese will be allowed in. Righty ho.

...decrease the number of tourists during long holidays...

Except for those waiting at the gate.

I'm sure there must be some kind of "lost in translation" error in these reports. They make zero sense.

[sriracha john]

Queue here for the waterfall

We are all familiar with standing in line at popular restaurants, cheap goods sales, and theme parks, but some may find it hard to adopt to queuing for a visit to a waterfall. The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has come up with the idea of issuing coupons to visitors at the country's most popular waterfalls at national parks in a bid to limit tourist numbers at the sites. Tourist groups with the new coupons will be allowed to enjoy the water for 4 hours only. After 4 hours, they are required to say goodbye to the waterfalls so other groups can enter the site. This will ensure that the tourist numbers match the parks' capacity. According to the department, the scheme will be launched at the Erawan waterfall in the Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi on Dec 5.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/170808_News/17Aug2008_news03.php

[brahmburgers]

I agree that something needs to be done to limit the impact of mass tourism on fragile eco systems, but like others here, I doubt this is possible or realistic in the LOS.

My favorite national park, Khao Sok, is constantly under pressure from 'cheap charlie' day trippers from the river area and HUGE Thai groups. The noise, the trash, the number of people trampling over the trails, the amount of little pink tissues that end up in the lake (I guess Thais don't think of this as trash), etc... All of this adds up to an un-natural experience for those who are serious about appreciating nature in all its glory.

Something that I can't understand is that it is extremely common for BIG Thai groups to show up very late in the afternoon. They party hard all night (keeping everyone else awake) and then they get up early and leave. I don't see the point in coming to such a stunning destination to simply get drunk and make noise. They tend to bring their own food and drink, so the park makes very little money from them.

Now, I know some will think that I'm suggesting that only wealthy people be allowed in the park... no, I'm not suggesting that at all. All I'm suggesting is that the huge groups that come and spend almost no money and leave a negative impact on the park should be limited. Perhaps the park could turn away groups that aren't prepared to spend any money. They gripe about the cost of the longtail transfer, but they seem to have enough money for Johnny Walker.

The park law states that it is illegal to disturb wildlife or other tourists. If they would only enforce THIS law, I'd be a happy camper.

Now, how on earth the park authorities are going to do this is the big question. I think they're just making it look like they're on the job when if fact nothing will change. I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to be wrong here.

BTW, they wasted almost all of the money allocated for Khao Sok on a fancy dock and visitor's center that no one visits instead of perhaps giving the rangers more money for patrolling, making the toilet facilities in the floating bungalows nicer, repairing the floating walkways and maybe even doing something really weird like putting solar panels on the bungalows... naw, now I'm just dreaming... of course a fancy visitor's center is much more important.

Some Swiss friends tried overnight camping at a Thai national park recently, and were thoroughly turned off by the p.u.truck load of Thai revelers who parked nearby - and loudly partied all night - their kids running all over (even entering the farang's tent uninvited), - next day, trash all over.

Changing habits and instilling decency is not an easy row to hoe. There needs to be a nationwide campaign in Thailand to instill better values - such as husbandry for natural places, and consideration for others. Decades ago, there was a successful campaign in the US with a catchy jingle titled, "no, no, Don't be a litterbug". ....something along those lines, with Thai TV stars and Pop music stars doing segments on TV to promote better habits. Improvements won't happen overnight, but little by little, more Thais (especially youngsters) will get on the right track in regards to tangibly caring for their natural environments.

Wouldn't hurt to designate additional park areas, plus earmark additional funding for maintenance of parkland. Park rangers probably need to be do their jobs more dynamically, such as confronting (and fining) people who blatantly abuse the privelage of enjoying the parks. Luckily for me, I live in rural northernmost Thailand, so there are a many waterfalls and secluded natural areas to go to which aren't administered, and which are relatively unscathed by human visitors. However, there may be times when I travel and will want to visit Thailand's designated parks, and I hope I won't be charged ramped-up prices or (worse) be subject to rude people spoiling my visit.

[sriracha john]

Curbs on visitors to parks fail to work

The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department's efforts to control the number of visitors to popular national parks has failed to prevent tourists entering many well-known attractions during long weekends. The project to limit visitor numbers was introduced to five national parks in 2004. However, a recent survey by the department found that all had too many visitors, especially during long weekends. Staff say that when the number of visitors exceeds a park's optimum capacity, the ecology comes under threat. More than 60% of plant species found at Khao Yai National Park have been damaged by tourists. Narong Mahannop, Chief of Khao Yai National Park, said that during the previous New Year's holidays more than 9,000 visitors camped at the park, which is intended to accommodate a maximum 4,000 at a time. Overcrowding in the park had led to disputes over camping grounds and toilets. There was even a traffic jam in the forest and a huge amount of garbage was left behind. "The situation is expected to be the same this New Year. All of the park's lodgings have been booked for the year-end holidays," said Mr Narong. Increasing entrance fees and rates for lodging was an effective way of limiting visitor numbers, he said. "They should be doubled during long weekends in the high season." Koh Samet National Park in Rayong province is also suffering from high visitor numbers. In an effort to control the numbers, the department proposed closing the national marine park for three months during the monsoon season.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/180808_News/18Aug2008_news15.php