All Lodgings Fully Booked For New Year

[george]

All lodgings fully booked for New Year

Tourist figures spark environmental fears

Domestic tourists are expected to over-run the country's national parks in the weeks running up to New Year, with lodges and campsites fully booked from then through to the end of January.

National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department tourism chief Anuchaya Chamnankid said accommodation had been snapped up at all of the country's most popular national parks.

These included Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep-Pui, Khoa Yai, Mu Koh Similan, Mu Koh Samet, Phu Kradung and Nam Nao.

``Even if tourists are told lodgings and campsites are no longer available, they refuse to cancel their trips,'' Ms Anuchaya said.

``Forestry officials are concerned about the impact of tourists' vehicles on the park's eco-systems. We often get traffic jams in national parks at high tourist season,'' she said.

National Park Research Division director Songtham Suksawang said about 13,000 tourists were expected for the New Year holiday at Phu Kradung national park, which had a capacity of only 8,000.

Ms Anuchaya credited the rise in domestic tourist numbers to improved economic conditions, as well as intensive campaigns launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and publishers of guidebooks.

She said new lodgings were under construction at Phu Hin Rong Kla, Huay Nam Dang and Mae Phang national parks in the North, as well as Mu Ko Lanta, Mu Ko Surin and Tarutao marine parks.

Mr Songtham criticised the TAT's ``Unseen in Thailand'' campaign for promoting ecologically fragile areas as tourism destinations.

``National parks are also under great pressure from the newly launched CEO governor system, which has intensified the promotion of many national parks,'' he said.

In particular, Mr Songtham singled out the Phetchabun provincial governor's plan to open a new road to the top of Phu Kradung.

The proposed route not only cut through trails that were used by elephants, but was also potentially dangerous, he said.

Khao Yai national park chief Prawat Wohandee said his park had been one of the worst affected by the tourism industry.

``Tourists severely disturb wildlife in their own habitats,'' he said.

``We often used to hear tigers roar in the park, but we don't any more.

``It is very possible the increasing numbers of tourists have chased them away,'' he added.

Mr Prawat also said a number of monkeys living in the park had been killed or critically wounded by tourists' vehicles, while several deer had been taken ill after eating plastic bags left by visitors.

He said many tourists were using Khao Yai as a venue for parties, which contradicted the park's intention of educating its visitors about the local eco-system.

TAT senior official Rampaiphan Kaewsuriya admitted the environmental degradation of national parks was due to a lack of public awareness.

She said the best example of this was the destruction of coral reefs at Mu Koh Similan national park by inexperienced divers, who were attracted to the site after intensive tourism campaigns.

However, she failed to provide a solution.

``The promotion of tourism cannot be avoided because the industry helps to prop up the economy,'' she said.

A total of more than 9.3 million tourists visited the country's national parks last year.

--The Post 2003-12-01

[NedKelly]

One has to agree that during peak periods Thailands national parks and other accessible natural areas, are oftencompletely over-run by domestic tourists. I have personally visited many of Thailands National Parks, waterfalls and other natural areas at times when there are no domestic tourists. the difference is incredible. For example, if you trek to Namtok Thi Lor Su during the wet season,you will have the place vituallyto yourself. But during the dry season when it is much more accessible, there are hordes of local tourists. I do not wish to carry on about the disgraceful practices of local tourists in regard to rubbish disposal as I amsure readers will be more than aware of that. But this does bring me to the point of supply and demand,which raises the old issue of the dual pricing system, where locals pay zip and foreigners pay 10 times the amount to visit a national park or other attraction. If demand for a product is obviously so high during peak periods, why not charge locals more to visit during peak periods ? This should help by limiting the numbers and also raising further revenue that should be spent on services at the sites, such as, rubbish removal and public amenities. God help me for criticising, but this is basic management.

thats all I have to say about that !