Thai National Parks

Tour operator's response

Dear Hal,

In our taxi details page (this page) where you sent this enquiry from it clearly states this is a taxi service. The title of the page says "Taxi services", below that the sub-title says "Hua Hin - Kui Buri elephant watching area taxi service", then the third title says "About our taxi services", followed by the first paragraph below it says;

"This is a round trip taxi service to visit Kui Buri Elephant Watching Area. Once at the elephant watching area you can arrange a tour from the visitor center area while our driver will wait there until you are back from your tour and ready to head back."

.... and when you sent us an enquiry, we typed this to you in person;

"A round trip to Kui Buri Wildlife Watching Area will be 2,500 Baht with a SUV option for 4 pax.

Once there, your entrance fees and guide cost not included in our price. You will be able to arrange a guide at the visitor center where you also can pay your entrance fees."

... which after you agreed to book this taxi service with us.

There is nothing to add if you missed all these.

Further more; we haven't charged you individually for this taxi service. You paid for a taxi service, the total price of 2,400 Baht for all 4 of you, for a round trip from Hua Hin.

Well at the wildlife watching area, the safari vehicle you arranged costs 850 Baht for all of you, it is not individual. This 850 Baht to be shared between a local guide and driver, and imagine, the petrol price is in that 850 Baht too. This shared "850 Baht income" is once a day opportunity as the wildlife watching area is only open on late afternoon.

Why this safari driver requirement from park authorities? It is to reduce human/elephant conflict. Farms in the area getting raided by elephants often, particularly pineapple farms destroyed by herds. We read every year elephant either electroeluted to death, or shot by locals in Kui Buri area. Other elephants found dead in the forest far from farms, further examination reveal many bullet wounds. And also imagine all non-reported case, the hidden bit of the iceberg. That's the reason park authorities try to reduce the conflict by offering job as guide at the wildlife watching area.