The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has been directed to explore the feasibility of involving the private sector in managing accommodation and food services within designated zones of national parks. The move aims to ease the workload on park officials and improve services for visitors.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on stated that during his visits to multiple parks in recent months, he observed that officials are responsible not only for protecting forests and wildlife from poaching but also for overseeing tourism-related services. He acknowledged concerns that private sector involvement could be misinterpreted as commercial exploitation of natural resources but argued that such a system could relieve officials of non-conservation duties and provide additional revenue for the department, which faces financial constraints.
Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the department, expressed support for the initiative, particularly during peak tourist seasons when major parks experience high visitor numbers. He emphasized that private operators should not manage entire park areas but only specific facilities within them. He referenced models from Yosemite National Park in the United States and similar practices in China as potential frameworks for Thailand.
Stakeholder consultation, including input from local communities, will be necessary to ensure transparency in the decision-making process. Chaiya Huayhongtong, chief of Khao Yai National Park, highlighted the strain on resources during high season, noting that with thousands of daily visitors and limited lodging, nearly half of the park’s 400 officials must be reassigned from patrol duties to visitor management. He supported private sector involvement under strict regulations to safeguard the park’s ecological integrity.
