Since its launch in July 2021, Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation has implemented an e-ticket system for the Phi-Phi islands, which has brought in approximately one million baht per day in entry fees from tourists. This amounts to 137 million baht in revenue, with the e-ticketing system increasing entry fee sales by 20-30% on average.
The number of daily visitors to the islands is currently around 4,000, according to Rakchanok Paenoi, chief of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi-Phi National Park, with the majority of them coming from Russia and Europe. She went on to say that the park has seen a 2- to 3-fold increase in visitors this April compared to last year and anticipates even more during the upcoming Songkran festival.
However, due to poor phone signals, some visitors’ e-tickets have been unable to be checked, and the e-tickets cannot be used for tourists continuing their travels to other islands.
Within two years, the department head, Atthaphon Charoenchansa, intends to promote the use of e-tickets to cover entry fees to all national parks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure of the Hat Noppharat Thara Mu Ko Phi-Phi National Park for two years resulted in improvements to the environment and ecological system of several islands, including the return of several black-tipped coral sharks to Maya Bay.
The department has also raised entry fees for foreign visitors to Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand’s first and third-largest national park. Adults will now pay B400 to enter, while children will pay B200. However, Thai nationals’ entry fees to all national park areas remain unchanged
- Khao Yai National Park in the central province of Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Saraburi, and Nakhon Nayok
Adult: 400 baht
Children: 200 baht - Khao Laem Ya – Mu Koh Samet National Park in the eastern province of Rayong
(including Koh Talu, Koh Kudee, Koh Kham – Koh Kruai)
Adult: 300 baht
Children: 150 baht - Mu Koh Ang Thong National Marine Park in the southern province of Surat Thani
(including Koh Wua Ta Lab and Koh Mae Koh)
Adult: 300 baht
Children: 150 baht - Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in the southern province of Krabi
(including Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Phi Phi Lay, and Koh Mai Phai)
Adult: 400 baht
Children: 200 baht - Mu Koh Lanta National Park in the southern province of Krabi
(including Koh Rok, Koh Ngai, Koh Ha, and Koh Hin Daeng – Kong Hin Muang)
Adult: 400 baht
Children: 200 baht
Vehicles are subject to additional charges.
Motorcycle: 20 Thai Baht
30 baht for a four-wheel vehicle
A six-wheeler costs 100 baht.
More than six but fewer than ten wheels: 200 baht
The cost of a helicopter is 2,500 baht.
Park updates and information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/NationalPark.Interpretation.
