Thai National Parks

Expedia data shows tourist growth areas

Khao Yai National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife and thick jungles, recorded over 160 per cent growth YoY. – Read more

Wild elephant found dead in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Officials suspect the animal, between five and 10 years old, succumbed to infection stemming from a fight with another bull elephant. – Read more

National parks set to multiply

More than 20 areas are in the line to become national parks, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. – Read more

Rarely seen turtle eggs saved from beach

Officials and marine animal researchers at Sam Roi Yot National Park relocated 79 turtle eggs found on a public beach in Sam Roi Yot district to a safer place Tuesday. – Read more

Chiang Mai trio begins march against court housing on Doi Suthep

Three members of the Network to Reclaim Doi Suthep Forest on Wednesday began a symbolic march that will take them from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. – Read more

Up to 500kg of garbage washed onto national park beach daily

400 to 500 kilograms of garbage had been washed by waves onto a beach on Koh Rung in the Mu Koh Chang National Park in Trat each morning during the past week. – Read more

TAT official denies boat ban at Phi Phi’s Maya Bay as parks grapple with environmental toll

TAT denied reports in international media that said the once-pristine Thai bay would be closed to boats for several months this year to prevent further damage to coral. – Read more

Tusk lost, eye blackened in Khao Yai elephant showdown

Male elephants Plai Duan and Plai Sa-ard were duelling over a female from 7am Wednesday into the afternoon in the Pong Thung Kwang area. – Read more

Italian-Thai company boss charged with hunting in sanctuary

Construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta has been arrested for allegedly hunting wildlife in the World Heritage Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary. – Read more

Land reform officials jailed for Khao Yai land sale

A court sentenced 12 officials of the Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) to 10 years in jail each for illegally issuing title deeds. – Read more

Cherry blossoms’ popularity leads to vehicle ban in Phitsanulok park

Too many tourists visiting Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park resulting in a ban on vehicles. – Read more

Top official raises alarm after four-year absence of leatherback turtles at Thai nesting beaches

Director-general Thanya Netithammakun raised the alarm over the survival of the leatherbacks, as there have no reports of females of the species returning to lay their eggs at the beaches. – Read more

Park officials seek injured elephant

Khao Yai National Park officials are trying to find a wild elephant after it was hit by a pick-up truck on a road in nearby Nakhon Ratchasima. – Read more

Killings of two more gaurs prompt new investigation

Nakhon Ratchasima province officials have pledged to solve conflicts between wild gaurs and local farmers after three animals were killed in Wang Nam Khieo district within a period of one week. – Read more

Conservationists urges solution to killing of gaurs

Khao Phaeng Ma conservation group coordinator Boripat Sunthorn cited the discovery on Thursday of a 10-year-old 1.2-tonne carcass of a wild gaur with a fatal shotgun wound. – Read more

Over 4,200 tourists chill in Doi Inthanon visit on Sunday

1,418 hiked to the Kiew Mae Pan viewpoint, setting a new record for trekkers this year. – Read more

Phu Phan National Park wins top park award

Phu Phan National Park has won the Green National Parks award for outstanding environmental management. – Read more

Erawan Falls reopened for swimming

The popular Erawan waterfall in Si Sawat district was on Friday reopened for swimming after a four-day ban due to heavy rain and runoff. – Read more

Pak Chong official stomped to death by elephants

A local leader was stomped to death by a herd of wild elephants after he and another villager lit firecrackers to scare them away. – Read more

DSI checking alleged Phang Nga National Park encroachment

DSI are checking two luxury houses located on Pa Kuantohla and Pa Laemsam mountains alongside another 2,000 rai of land that is alleged to have an illegal land deed. – Read more

Park cameras nab illegal loggers in Nakhon Ratchasima

Nine Cambodians suspected of involvement in illegal logging in Thap Lan National Park were arrested on Monday night after being spotted by the park’s surveillance cameras. – Read more

Protesters up for Mae Wong fight

Protesters will today converge on the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) to object to its decision to examine the project's health and environment impact assessment (EHIA) study. – Read more

Heavy rain in Phangnga cuts road, causes landslides

The rain caused landslides in the Khao Sok national park, which blocked a section of Highway No.401 at kilometre marker 27 in Kapong district. – Read more

Wild elephant kills domesticated elephant

A domesticated male elephant was found dead on Wednesday morning in a rubber plantation close to Tai Rom Yen National Park. – Read more

800 rai of park land reclaimed

Authorities have reclaimed over 800 rai of national park land allegedly encroached on by resort operators. – Read more

Huay Mae Khamin waterfall closed by 'global warming'

Huay Mae Khamin in Si Sawat district, rated Thailand's second most beautiful waterfall, has been closed because the water flow is down to a trickle. – Read more

Park officials criticised over bear’s fatal chopper fall

A WILDLIFE activist strongly criticised Khao Yai National Park officials yesterday for allowing a rescued Asian black bear to fall to its death from a helicopter. – Read more

Knife's Blade Ridge closed after tourist falls

The management of Thong Pha Phum National Park on closed Khao Chang Puak and its dream destination "Knife's Blade Ridge" after a tourist fell and was almost killed there. – Read more

The sad tale of the tiger

The death of a tiger from Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary this month provides a stark illustration as to how our forest "management" has failed abysmally. – Read more

Tiger's death reflects failure in forest management

Early this month, villagers in tambon Mae Thot of Thoen district in the northern province of Lampang discovered tiger footprints and heard roars. – Read more

Govt prepares Unesco defence of Khao Yai world heritage status

Thailand’s National Committee met to discuss the topic of Unesco’s concerns about the impact of development projects’ on the environment. – Read more

Tourist creeps too close to crocodile in Khao Yai

A French tourist was injured after being bitten on the leg by a crocodile during a visit to Khao Yai National Park Sunday. – Read more

Danish tourist rescued after getting lost in Rayong mountains

A lost Danish tourist was found safe nearly 1.5 km off from a trail in Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park – Read more

Prawit delays parks road expansion

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has put the brakes on an expansion project for Highway No.12 which will cut through Nam Nao National Park in Phetchabun. – Read more

Three more resorts on Phu Thap Boek flattened

The removal of three more resorts began on Phu Thap Boek with no resistance from the owners on Wednesday morning. – Read more

Wildlife officials reject zip-line bid

DNP has rejected a company's request to operate a tourism business offering adventure activities in national parks. – Read more

Spectacular views as Doi Inthanon capped with frost

The first frost of the season was seen on Monday morning as temperatures dropped on the mountain in Doi Inthanon National Park. – Read more

Jungle trekkers rescued in Khao Yai National Park

A group of 19 trekkers and five porters who became lost on a three-day hike in Khao Yai National Park were found by searchers. – Read more

Phu Kradueng National Park opens to tourists now

The chief of Phu Kraduen park, said the park decided to allow tourists to set up camps on the popular mountaintop in Loei now because the cold weather had arrived. – Read more

Four Chiang Mai waterfalls closed after heavy rain

Four waterfalls in two national parks in Chiang Mai have been closed to tourists after heavy rain. – Read more

34 Cambodian phayung wood poachers arrested

Thirty-four Cambodian phayung wood poachers have been arrested in a sting operation. – Read more

Dhammakaya branch encroaches on forest

Authorities will order the removal of most buildings at a branch temple of Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Kanchanaburi province. – Read more

Phi Phi's Maya Bay: Overcrowding an environmental disaster

Although it is now the low season, the marine park is overcrowded with tourists and boats, posing a serious threat to the environment. – Read more

Missing helicopter found crashed, three killed

Director of the Air Operation Control Directorate said the two pilots and a mechanic for the helicopter were all killed. – Read more

Baby hornbill snatched from nest and sold by teenagers back in livestock care

A BABY rhinoceros hornbill snatched from its nest and illegally sold before being returned to the nest. – Read more

Severe coral bleaching threatens popular Phi Phi dive spots

Many varieties of coral have been affected by the bleaching, which is due to the sea temperature rising to between 31 to 35 degrees Celsius. – Read more

Move to protect coral zones after 33 spots with bleaching found

Phuket's Racha Yai Island is among the hardest hit along with six islands off Chumphon. – Read more

Koh Tachai island off Phangnga closed indefinitely

The shoreline, beaches and coral reefs around Koh Tachai will be off-limits to all visitors starting Oct 15 – Read more

Andaman sites at risk from too many visitors, warns TCT

The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) has urged that tourism sites in the Andaman Sea since many islands and beaches are at risk. – Read more

Fires still raging in Kaeng Krachan National Park

DNP is making an all out effort to combat wildfires still burning in two areas of Kaeng Krachan National Park. – Read more

Kaeng Krachan park fire under control

A big bush fire was brought under control on Friday after destroying about 1,000 rai of a forest in the Kaeng Krachan National Park. – Read more

Drought closes lodging at Phu Hin Rong Kla park

Drought has forced the closure of accommodations at well-known Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park straddling Phitsanulok, Loei and Phetchabun provinces from April 1. – Read more

Water shipped in for thirsty Prachuap island monkeys

Forestry officials are distributing water to hundreds of long-tailed macaques facing drought and heat on an island. – Read more

Dept plans jumbo 'food paradise'

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is proposing to buy land from farmers and develop it into a "food paradise" for wild elephants to stop crops being ravaged. – Read more

Experts blame elephant attacks on mankind

More coordination between agencies and people as well as a better understanding of the nature of wild elephants is necessary to avoid attacks by the animal. – Read more

Khao Yai might be repopulated with tigers

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is considering moving tigers from a central plains sanctuary to Khao Yai. – Read more

Nine tour companies banned from rock climbing on Phi Phi islands

Nine tour companies have been prohibited from taking customers cliff climbing on the Phi Phi islands because their safety procedures were inadequate. – Read more

Forest included in 'One Map' project

Damrong Pidech, leader of Thai Forest Land Reclamation Party, had previously voiced his concern that if the Department of Royal Forest submitted wrong forest boundaries, the country would lose over 1,200 rai of forest land in Sirinat National Park. – Read more

Officials sold Phuket forest reserve land

About 1,200 rai of land has been detached from the Sirinat National Park by officials for use by investors. – Read more

Elephant kills mother, injures young son

A woman was killed and her two-year-old son seriously injured by a wild bull elephant early on Monday morning near a rubber plantation in Makham district. – Read more

Smog, drought, litter bugs and unpopular coal-fired plants take centre stage

It was a big surprise in the public, and the water shortages continued well beyond May even when the dry season ended. – Read more

Wild elephants have village on edge for half a year

About 60 wild elephants have been eating crops from farms and villagers' kitchens in Thong Pha Phum district of Kanchanaburi. – Read more

Stop trashing our national parks

Apart from spreading cash and boosting the economy, travellers, especially during the New Year period, often leave something else behind. – Read more

Doi Inthanon visitors praised for cooperation

The chief of Doi Inthanon National Park has praised the huge number of holidaymakers for their "impressive cooperation" in helping keep garbage to a minimum. – Read more

Phi Phi coral being destroyed

Koh Phi Phi, regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, is concerned about its dying coral reefs. – Read more

Thap Lan ranger wounded by poacher

A ranger from Thap Lan National Park was shot and wounded by a log poacher while on patrol late on Monday night. – Read more

Agencies to clean up parks with litter plan

OFFICIALS plan to tackle the excessive amount of litter at national parks by implementing garbage disposal measures and limiting the number of tourists during holiday periods. – Read more

Kaeng Krachan - Where nature thrives

The loud voice of gibbons is like a wake-up call for campers at Phanoen Thung Mountain in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi. – Read more

Some 50 Malaysian tourists refuse to pay park fee at Lipe island

Some 50 Malaysian tourists from Langkawi refused to pay the park fee of Bt200 when they arrived at Koh Lipe in the Tarutao National Park. – Read more

Wild elephant electrocuted in Kanchanaburi forest

Wild elephant found dead under 120,000-volt power lines in Kanchanaburi national park with its trunk burnt, second death in three days. – Read more

Mass deaths of cave bats raise health concerns

Local villagers living near a cave in Kanchanaburi's Si Sawat district have been warned to avoid local water sources after thousands of giant-faced bats have died. – Read more

Tourists trickle back as oily tide ebbs on Hua Hin beach

Tourists started to return to Hua Hin beach on Thursday as the tide of oil and petroleum-coated garbage ebbed on the Prachuap Khiri Khan province coastline. – Read more

New panel to crack down on illegal wildlife trade

IN RESPONSE to wild animal cubs being sold openly via Facebook earlier this week, DNP said that it will set up a team to suppress such illegal practices. – Read more

Wildlife crossing will boost ecology, Tublan Park chief says

The wildlife crossing project on Highway 304 Kabinburi-Paktongchai is thought to boost the ecology of the Dong Phrayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex World Heritage Site. – Read more

Rosewood, weapon seized after clash

Forestry officers clashed with about 40 illegal loggers inside Pang Sida National Park in Sa Kaeo province late Monday. – Read more

Where have all the hornbills gone?

A new study looks at the bird's unique migration behaviour. – Read more

Farmer arrested for electrocuting three elephants

A Thai farmer was arrested Thursday after he confessed to erecting an electrified fence which killed three elephants close to a national park, police said. – Read more

Man confesses to killing three elephants in Kaeng Krachan

The manager of a farm close to the Kaeng Krachan National Park has confessed to killing three wild elephants. – Read more

Tiger Temple is banned from charging tourists to visit tigers

The Tiger Temple has been allowed to keep their big cats, but they are banned from charging tourists an entry fee. – Read more

Garbage dumped at Krabi dive sites

Some 10 hotel operators on Koh Ngai islands are believed to be dumping garbages into the sea. – Read more

Heritage status the best way to protect Andaman Sea

The image of the badly ruined coral reefs, described as an "underwater graveyard", has disappeared from public attention. – Read more

Resort manager faces forest land trespass charges

Police have filed five charges against a manager of a resort for allegedly illegally building a race track and other facilities on forest land. – Read more

Ailing marine parks set to restrict visitor numbers

Visitor numbers will be capped at marine national parks across the country from next year in a bid to ease environmental destruction. – Read more

Official hurt in Nanthaburi National Park

An official was hurt and a forest poaching suspect was abducted by villagers on Monday. – Read more

Another gaur found shot dead

A 15-year-old male gaur was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in Khao Paeng Ma mountain adjacent to the Khao Yai National Park. – Read more

Gaur found shot dead in Chaleomprakiat Thaiprachan National Park

A 500kg female gaur was found shot dead in Chaleomprakiat Thaiprachan National Park in Ratchaburi yesterday. – Read more

Professor rallies to save sea life

When Asst Prof Thon Thamrongnawasawat comes out to speak, you know that marine life is in clear and present danger. – Read more

Koh Tachai get bar ban and tourist limit

Bars will be banned and tourist numbers limited on Koh Tachai as part of measures to protect the the national park. – Read more

Andaman tourism faces restrictions

Authorities are coming up with measures to control the number of tourists visiting some of the Andaman Sea's famous islands. – Read more

Government seeks new elephant habitats

Authorities are conducting forest surveys to find new homes suitable for elephants to solve the problem of over population. – Read more

Expert raises alarm over Similan marine damage

A top marine biologist has expressed grave concern over marine life around an island in the Similan Marine National Park. – Read more

Elephants killed for tusks in Khao Yai

National Parks officials admitted the news and started investigation for two elephants killed 7 months ago. – Read more

Young elephant found dead in Kui Buri

A male elephant calf has died after becoming trapped in mud in a shallow well in Kui Buri National Park. – Read more

Order to demolish hotel pier sparks legal fight

Owners of the Rayong Resort has been given 30 days to demolish their pier, which stretches about 380m into the sea. – Read more

Khao Yai rangers in car accident

Two Khao Yai ranger cars were involved in an accident while overtaking each other yesterday. – Read more

National park closes earlier to facilitate elephant feeding

Khao Yai National Park has decided to change its closing time in a bid to solve problems of wild elephants and tourists. – Read more

Two experienced cave divers found dead at Khao Sok

Two experienced Phuket cave divers died after a diving accident near the entrance of Tiger Cave in the Chio Lan Reservoir. – Read more

wild cat trade from Myanmar to China growing

The trade in wild cat parts from Myanmar into China has grown in recent years, a new study based on two decades of survey data suggests. – Read more

14 resorts, hotels encroach on Sirinat

DSI has found four of 14 hotels and resorts it probed have encroached on Sirinat National Park. – Read more

Navy moves in on Koh Lipe beaches

Officers from the 3rd Naval Area Command have given resort operators on Koh Lipe three days to clear away deckchairs, umbrellas and tables. – Read more

Encroachers jailed 17 years on

The Supreme Court has sentenced three people to six years and eight months in prison, ending a case that has dragged on for 17 years. – Read more

Woman killed by wild elephant in Kaeng Krachan

A wild elephant killed an elderly woman in the Kaeng Krachan National Park area in Hua Hin district Tuesday evening. – Read more

NACC to hear major land seizure cases this month

Information on asset seizing following cases of land encroachment is expected to be submitted to the NACC this month. – Read more

Park chief seeks transfer from Thap Lan

Threatened Thap Lan chief Taywin Meesap has thrown in the towel in his fight to end resort encroachment in Thap Lan National Park. – Read more

DNP presses on with crackdown

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has refused to suspend its forest encroachment crackdown over the peak tourist season. – Read more

36 'illegal' resorts face demolition in Thap Lan

Thap Lan National Park officials set up signs early yesterday warning that 36 resorts allegedly encroaching on the park will be demolished. – Read more

National park encroachers face seizures

Owners of resorts operating illegally in national parks will face the seizure of their assets, Royal Forest Department's (RFD) chief announced yesterday. – Read more

RID softens stance on dam

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) on Wednesday softened its stance over its plan to build the 13-billion-baht dam in Mae Wong National Park. – Read more

EHIA panel opposes Mae Wong dam

The committee in charge of assessing the environmental and health impacts of the proposed Mae Wong dam project has recommended that the project be dropped. – Read more

Ancient horse shoes found in Khao Sam Roi Yot

A total of 334 old horse has been discovered inside a cave on Koh Rom Island at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. – Read more

Ban Talay Mok's assets at Thap Lan seized

The Anti-Money Laundering Office acted to confiscate assets worth eight million baht from the owners of the demolished Ban Talay Mok Resort at Thap Lan. – Read more

Mae Wong dam EHIA 'deeply flawed'

Environmentalists says the environmental health impact assessment for the Mae Wong Dam is too flawed to get approved. – Read more

Music festival at Khao Yai cancelled

Permission for a planned concert near the Khao Yai National Park has been revoked after environmental protests. – Read more

Vietnamese jailed in wood seizure

Five suspected Vietnamese poachers have been arrested with almost 80kg of prized aloeswood in Phrae province early Wednesday. – Read more

Storms close Similan islands

Mu Ko Similan National Park and the Tachai islands are closed from Tuesday until Friday due to stormy seas. – Read more

Family begins demolition of resort in Thap Lan

The owners of the 125-rai Baan Pa Ngam lodge in Thap Lan National Park started to demolish the premises yesterday. – Read more

New national park entrance fees announced

DNP has announced new entrance fees for national parks effective from February 2015. – Read more

Khao Phra Wihan National Park opens

Starting today, Khao Phra Wihan National Park in at Cambodian Border is open from 5.30am to 4.30pm daily. – Read more

Hundreds left stranded by Pranburi River flooding

Kui Buri National Park and Pa La-oo waterfall of Kaeng Krachan National Park were closed to tourists yesterday until further notice. – Read more

Drones to keep an eye on national parks

A programme to use unmanned aerial vehicles was launched last week to survey Kui Buri National Park. – Read more

Resort to be demolished in Thap Lan

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will demolish Ban Pa Ngam resort located inside Thap Lan National Park. – Read more

Phu Kradueng to reopen on Oct 1

Phu Kradueng National Park will reopen to tourists on Oct 1 after being closed for eight months. – Read more

Crack down on fake land titles continues

The Internal Security Operations Command has estimated that land rights documents for 100,000 rai nationwide were obtained illegally. – Read more

Integration of Myanmar park with Thai forest complex proposed

THAILAND IS asking Myanmar to integrate its Tanintharyi National Park into the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex. – Read more

Lost students rescued in Thap Lan National Park

Six missing students were rescued from thick forest in Thap Lan National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Monday. – Read more

20,000 rubber trees condemned by DNP

A 500-strong task force yesterday kicked off an operation to end forest encroachment in Mu Koh Phi Phi-Nopparathara National Park. – Read more

NCPO looks to expand forests to 40%

The NCPO has approved a plan to increase the percentage of forested land in Thailand to at least 40% within 10 years. – Read more

Kui Buri gaurs face inbreeding threat

The gaur population in Kui Buri National Park in is still at risk of extinction due to inbreeding. – Read more

Kui Buri re-opens with new rules

Kui Buri re-opened, local tour operators banned from taking tourists to areas where gaurs were known to roam. – Read more

Kui Buri ready for re-open

The Kui Buri National Park is ready for reopening following an eight-month closure. – Read more

NCPO evicts 300 park encroachers

The National Council for Peace and Order has claimed success in evicting 300 encroachers from Thab Lan National Park. – Read more

Head of DNP will reclaim land within Sirinat National Park

The head DNP, Nipon Chotiban, has vowed to try to reclaim more than 370 land plots, covering some 2,743 rai, in Sirinat National Park. – Read more

Best time to visit the national parks in Thailand

With the rainy season in mind, what is the best time to visit the national parks? – Read more

Khao Yai danger list postponed

The decision about putting Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex on List of World Heritage in Danger postponed. – Read more

Dead elephant found at Kui Buri

Carcasses of an elephant has been found at Kui Buri National Park. – Read more

New gaur death in Kui Buri

Another gaur has been found dead in Kui Buri National Park. – Read more

World Heritage Centre seeks answers

The WHC has asked Thailand for clarification regarding Khao Yai Forest Complex. – Read more

Kui Buri National Park to reopen in June

Kui Buri National Park that has been closed for visitor since gaur-deaths will re-open in June. – Read more

Image-sharing network for wildlife protection

DNP has introduced an online image-sharing network to protect wildlife. – Read more

Crocodile warning in Khao Yai

The only crocodile in Khao Yai National Park has grown up to a size considered dangerous. – Read more

Khao Yai Half Marathon in early March

A half marathon (21km) will be held in Khao Yai National Park March 2, 2014. – Read more

Tourist stomped to death by elephants at Kaeng Kaeng Krachan

The body of an missing 24 year old American lady has been found in Kaeng Krachan National Park. – Read more

Possible internal conflicts behind gaur deaths

Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department is accused to be involved with killings of 18 gaurs. – Read more

Late entry to Khao Yai stopped due to breeding season

The traffic in and out from Khao Yai National Park is stopped due to breeding season. – Read more

Dosens of gaurs found dead in Kui Buri National Park

At least 15 rare gaurs have been found dead in Kui Buri National Park over the past couple of weeks. – Read more

Minivan and hitchhiking to Kaeng Krachan National Park

We explain here how we got to Kaeng Krachan National Park from Bangkok by minivan and hitchhiking earlier this week. – Read more

Groups in the North successfully engage locals in reforestation

The success at Ban Mae Sa Mai in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim district can serve as a model. – Read more

Famous Phang Nga dive site found devastated

Richelieu Rock has been destroyed, possibly by fishermen illegally using explosives. – Read more