The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has been instructed to study the feasibility of allowing the private sector to manage accommodation and food services in designated zones within parks.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said today that he has visited many national parks in the past several months and discovered that their officials not only have to protect the forests and wildlife from poachers, but also have to provide services to visiting tourists, such as room rentals and food services.
He admitted that the concept of involving the private sector could mistakenly be seen by some people as the ministry wanting to exploit natural resources for commercial gain.
He said that he believes, if implemented, it would both ease the burden on park officials, allowing them to concentrate on protecting the forests, and generate extra revenue for the cash-strapped department.
Responding to the minister’s initiative, Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the department’s director-general, said he personally agrees with the concept, especially during the tourist season, when major parks are very busy.
He noted, however, that the private sector should not be allowed to manage areas in a park.
He cited two potential models, which Thailand could adopt. One is the Yosemite National Park in California and the other in China, in which certain facilities in selected areas are open to private management.
Atthaphon said that other stakeholders, such as local communities, should be involved in assessing the idea, to ensure transparency.
Chaiya Huayhongtong, chief of Khao Yai National Park, said that, during the high tourist season, thousands of people visit each day and there are fewer than 30 lodgings in the park, adding that half of the 400 officials there have to be diverted from their patrol jobs to taking care of the visitors.
He agrees with the idea of allowing the private sector to manage accommodation and food services, but warned that certain restrictions must be included to protect the wildlife and plants.
