National —
On June 22nd, 2024, Mr. Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, the Director of the National Park Office, announced the total revenue generated from national park fees from October 1st, 2023, to June 20th, 2024, amounting to 1,785,493,410 baht.
This revenue marks a significant increase compared to 2023, which totaled 1,467,641,971 baht. The rise in income is attributed to a surge in foreign tourists, driven by Thai government policies supporting and promoting tourism in Thailand.
Chaiwat highlighted that Thai marine national parks, particularly those in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, are the top earners. These areas are renowned for their stunning oceanic beauty, making Thailand a prime destination for international tourists.
The top five revenue-generating national parks are:
- Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, famously known as Phi Phi Islands National Park in Krabi, with 500,866,577 baht.
- Similan Islands National Park in Phang Nga, with 243,655,470 baht.
- Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park in Rayong, with 127,820,710 baht.
- Ao Phang Nga National Park in Phang Nga, with 114,226,610 baht.
- Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, with 100,545,505 baht.
The collected national park fees will be used to enhance various facilities and services, according to national park officials. Key expenditures will include support for national park officials and human resource development, among other critical areas for the development of national parks across Thailand.
Chaiwat assured that the National Park Department has established a committee to oversee the allocation of funds to ensure transparency and accountability.
TPN media notes that many parks charge different fees for Thai nationals versus foreign nationals which is often a source of controversy and furious debate on social media platforms.
