48056307: MAJOR: ARCIIlTECTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND TOURISM KEYWORD: SITE DIAGNOSTIC, NATURAL HERITAGE, KHAO YA!, DONG PHAY A YEN KHAO Y Al FOREST COMPLEX. JOHN ARANA: SITE DIAGNOSTIC AND VISITOR FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS, AT THE KHAO YA! NATIONAL PARK. RESEARCH PROJECT ADVISOR: ASST.PROF. DEN WASIKSIRI, 143 pp.
Khao Yai is Thailand's first and best known national park. It contains a wealth of natural attractions: Flora, Fauna, Vistas and waterfalls. The park was established in 1962 and is currently managed by National Parle, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.
Khao Yai has been declared a world heritage site as part of the Dong Phayayen Khao Yai Forest Complex under criterion (IV) in 2005 and was also previously declared an Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) heritage pad. in I 984. This research project attempts to increase understanding of the park, raise awareness regarding the condition of park tourism infrastructure and assist in future decision making process by providing a visitor's perspective.
The most recent management plan for Khao Yai National Park 2007-2017 has not been received with enthusiasm. In this study the author encourages the review of the management plan, updating of master plan and the use of best practice guidelines for park management. It is hoped that the document contributes positively to park. management and visitors.
Architectural Heritage Management wtd Tourism Graduate School, Silpakorn University Academic Year 2006 Student's signature .. ~ .. \: ....~ ...... R hPr. Ad. ' . ~/ esearc qiect vISOr s signature ...... 1 ..... k .••...... ' ~
C ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The realization of this research project can be attributed to the extensive support and assistance from my advisor, Assistant Professor Den Wasiksiri and Professor Dr. Trungjai Buranasomphob.
I would ]ike to thank all lecturers and staff of the International Program in Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism, for comparting their valuable knowledge.
l am very grateful to the government and people of Belize, the government and people of Thailand, Si1pak.om University, Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency and the Royal Forest Department for their support.
I also want to thank all my fe1low classmates for their company and for help in making Thailand a wonderful experience.
Thanks to my God, Ancestors, family, relatives and friends.
d Table of Contents Page
Abstract...... C Acknowledgements...... d List of Figures...... h List of Photos...... J List of Tables...... n Chapter l Introduction...... I Statement of significance...... 1 Objectives...... 1 Scope of study (Study boundaries)...... 2 Methodology...... 2 The key concepts ...... 2 Definition of key concepts...... 2 2 Site Description...... 5 Location...... 5 Juridical Data...... 6 Identification...... 8 BriefHistoryofsite ...... 8 Description and lnventory...... 9 Neighboring Communities...... 13 Park Stakeholders...... 15 3 Conservation Overview...... 18 Introduction...... 18 Forest and biodiversity conservation in Thailand...... 19 Legal Framework...... 21 Institutional Framework...... 29 Conservation at KYNP...... 30 Park Protection...... 33 Wildlife Monitoring...... 33 Community Outreach...... 34
e Chapter Page Environmental Education...... 35 4 Toarism Overview...... 37 lntroduction...... 37 Thailand recent tourism policy...... 38 Tourism at KYNP...... 39 Accessibility...... 43 Visitor Numbers ...... 43 Peak Seasons...... 45 Visitor Profile...... 46 Khao Yai Tours...... 47 Some Negative Tourism Effects...... 52 Conclusion...... 53 5 Visitor facilities ...... 54 Introduction...... 54 Visitor Facilities in good Condition...... 55 Contestation over Infrasbucture...... 61 Visitor Facilities which require Management Attention...... 65 6 Improvement Ret!ommendations...... 90 Conservation...... 90 Management...... 91 Reducing Tourism Impacts...... 93 Interpretation...... 97 Visitor Facilities...... 98 Prioritization of Management Steps...... 100 Urgent Steps to be taken...... I 00 Steps to be taken in the medium tenn...... 100 Steps to be taken over the long term...... I 03 7 Conclusions...... 105 Conclusions...... 104 Lessons learnt from the study...... 107 Problems encountered during study...... 107
f Page Suggestions for further study...... 107 Bibliography...... 109 Appendix...... 115 Autobiography...... 143
g List of Figures
Figure Page L Ecotourism management and development planning process.... 4
2 -cl=-······················································-· 5 3 Map of Khao Yai National Parle KYNP...... 5 4 Map of Thailand's protected areas...... 6 5 Map of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex...... 7 6 Map showing strategic locations for tourism close to KYNP.. ... 14 7 Map showing Thailand's protected areas and poverty levels...... 30 8 Map of2006 outreach villages...... 35 9 Tourist Map of KYNP...... 41 10 Tourist Map ofKYNP...... 42 l l Map ofKYNP (adapted)...... 63 12 Tourist Map KYNP...... 64 13 Map showing location l Cho Pho spirit house...... 65 14 Map showing location 2 Km 29.5 viewpoint...... 66 15 Map showing location 3 Km 30 viewpoint...... 67 16 Map showing location 4 Km 33 trail...... 68 17 Map showing location 5 visitor center...... 69 18 Map showing location 6 Lam Ta Kong campsite...... 71 19 Map showing location 7 Pha Kluai Mai trail...... 72 20 Map showing location 8 Haew Suwat waterfall...... 74 21 Map showing location 9 Haew Sai waterfall...... 75 22 Map showing location 10 Haew Pratum waterfall...... 75 23 Map showing location 11 Khao Yai motor lodge...... 76 24 Map showing location 12 Chao Pho Khao Khieo ...... 77 25 Map showing location 13 Pha Deaw Dai viewpoint...... 78 26 Map showing location 15 Haew Narok waterfall...... 79 27 Map showing location 16 Sarika waterfa11 ...... 80 28 Map showing location 18 Klang Ta Dan Dam...... 82
h List of Figures Page Figure 29 Map showing location 19 Ta Khro area ...... 83 30 Map showing location 20 Som Poi waterfall ...... 83 31 Map showing location 21 Than Thip waterfall...... 84 32 Diagram of participatory planning process ... , . , ...... 92 List of Photos Page Photo I Herd of elephants at KYNP...... IO 2 Gaur...... 10 3 Female macaque suckling young...... 10 4 Tiger with cub...... 10 5 Haew Suwat waterfal1...... 11 6 Haew Narok waterfall...... 11 7 1-Iaew Pratum waterfall...... 11 8 View from Pha Deaw Dai...... 11 9 Rangers inspecting damaged aloewood tree...... 31 10 Ranger recording the location of dead Gaur...... 31 11 Morning market...... 47 12 Ox and cart ride...... 47 13 Haew Narok waterfall...... 48 14 Elephant ride...... 48 15 Nam Phud spring...... 49 16 Sap Nan Sai temple...... 49 17 Inside Sap Nan Sai cave...... 49 18 Guide and tourist inside Sap Nan Sai cave...... 49 19 Sap Nan Sai cave exit...... 49 20 Bats emerge from cave...... 49 21 Km 30 viewpoint...... 50 22 Km 33...... 50 23 Trail near Nong Pak Chi tower...... 50 24 Tour group close to saltlick near Nong Pak Chi ...... 50 25 Scorpion...... 50 26 Haew Suwat viewpoint...... 50 27 Giant squirrel...... 51 28 Kingfisher...... 51 29 Spider...... 51
j List of Photos Page Photo 30 Butterfly...... 51 31 Barking Deer...... 51 32 Sambar Deer...... 51 33 Entrance station Km. 23 ...... 55 34 Entrance station Nern Hom...... 55 35 Highway 2090 through KYNP...... 55 36 Highway to Haew Suwat...... 55 37 Main visitor center...... 56 38 Main visitor center interior I...... 56 39 Main visitor center interior 2...... 56 40 Sarika visitor center...... 56 41 Ta Khro visitor center exterior...... 56 42 Ta Khro visitor center interior...... 56 43 Bungalow 108...... 57 44 Bungalow 109...... 57 45 YouthCamp912 ...... 57 46 Terrace House 30211-10...... 57 47 Youth Camp 932/1-2...... 57 48 lnsideYouthCamp932/1-2 ...... 57 49 Khao Yai cafeteria...... 58 50 Inside Khao Yai cafeteria...... 58 5 t Lam Ta Kong restaurant...... 58 52 Haew Narok restaurant...... 58 53 Pha Kluai Mai restaurant...... 58 54 Haew Suwat restaurant...... 58 55 Inside visitor center gift shop I...... 59 56 Inside visitor center gift shop 2...... 59 57 Haew Narok gift shop exterior...... 59 58 HaewNarok gift shop interior...... 59
k List of Photos Page Photo 59 Haew Suwat gift shop exterior ...... _...... 59 60 Haew Suwat gift shop interior...... 59 61 Lani Ta Khong campground...... 60 62 Ph.a Kluai Mai campground...... 60 63 Nong Pak Chi wildlife viewing tower...... 60 64 Mo Sing To wildlife viewing tower...... 60 65 Chao Pho Khao Yai spirit house...... 65 66 Seating at spirit house 1...... 65 67 Seating at spirit house 2...... 65 68 Water tanks behind spirit house...... 65 69 Garbage receptacle at spirit house...... 65 70 Km. 29.5 viewpoint ...... 66 71 Km. 30 viewpoint...... 67 72 Seating at Km. 30 vie"Wpoint ...... 67 73 Parking on the right at Km. 30 viewpoint...... 67 74 Trail between Km 33 and Nong Pak Chi tower...... 68 75 Interpretive sign on trail between Km 33 and tower...... 68 76 Nong Pak Chi tower...... 68 77 Visitor center exterior...... 69 78 Visitor center parking...... 69 79 Display inside visitor center...... 69 80 Fallen branches on visitor center trail...... 69 81 Suspension bridge leading to trail behind visitor center...... 69 82 Interpretation sign behind visitor center...... 70 83 Close-up of sign behind visitor center ...... 70 84 Mini bridge behind visitor center I ...... 70 85 Mini bridge behind visitor center 2...... 70 86 Garbage receptacle Lam Ta Kong campground...... 71 87 Shower cubicles Lam Ta Kong campground...... 71 List of Photos Page Photo 88 Monkey feeding from garbage receptacle...... 71 89 Pha Kluai Mai trail ...... 72 90 Condition of Pha Kluai Mai trail...... 72 9 l Fallen trees on Pha Kluai Mai trail...... 72 92 Unsightly water tank Haew Suwat...... 73 93 Unused incinerator behind restrooms Haew Suwat area...... 73 94 Steps leading to Haew Suwat water]fall...... 74 95 Trail between Haew Suwat and Haew Sai...... 75 96 Haew Pratum waterfall...... 75 97 Motor Lodge showing mold and broken panels...... 76 98 Seats at Chao Pho Khao .Khieo...... 77 99 Pha Deaw Dai viewpoint ...... 78 100 Exposed tree roots on Pha Deaw Dai trail ...... 78 101 Parking at Pha Deaw Dai...... 78 102 Haew Narok crowding and low safety rail...... 79 103 Sarika waterfall...... 80 104 Vendors stalls leading to Sarika 1...... 80 105 Vendors stalls leading to Sarika 2...... 80 106 Large numbers of visitors at Klong Tha Dan Darn...... 81 107 Klong Toa Dan Dam 1...... 81 108 Klong Tha Dan Dam 2...... 82 109 Vendors stalls at Ta Khro entrance 1...... 82 110 Vendors stalls at Ta Khro entrance 2...... 82 111 Ta Khro visitor center interior...... 83 112 Vendors stalls Som Poi...... 83 113 Garage receptacle Than Thip ...... 84 114 Rest room Than Thip ...... 84 115 Shelter at Than Thip...... 84
m List of Tables
Table Page 1 Progress of forest and biodiversity conservation in Thailand... 19 2 Status of Thailand's international biodiversity agreements...... 28 3 KYNPbudget 1991-2000 ...... 32 4 Name of Province and distance from KYNP ...... 43 5 NumberofvisitorperyeartoKYNP 1976-2004 ...... 44 6 Number of visitors per month (Jan. 2004- Sept 2005) ...... 45 7 One day and over night visitors 2003...... 46 8 Foreign and Thai one day visitors 2003 ...... 46 9 Thai one day visitors 2003 ...... 46 10 Thai over night visitors 2003 ...... 46 11 Summary of observations ...... __ ...... 85 12 Best practice and current practice KYNP...... 92
n CHAPTER! INTRODUCTION Statement of Significance The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (DPKY-FC) of which Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) is a part has been inscribed on the United Nations Education, Scientific and Culture Organization- UNESCO) list of World Heritage sites under World Heritage Criterion (iv): Biodiversity and threatened species. (IUCN, 2005) The IUCN (The World Conservation Union) evaluation acknowledges ''the key role DPKY-FC plays in local, national and regional hydrological and ecological processes" ... "The DPKY-FC contains landscape of national and regional importance." (IUCN, 2005, p.79) The significance of the DPKY-FC to the locals is as a traditional resource. The differences in world, national, regional and local significance make DPKY-FC a very challenging area to manage and protect. The task starts with recognizing these differences and acknowledging their existence. Objectives • To study the significance ofKYNP • To raise awareness of stakeholders as to the condition of visitor facilities • To help prioritize maintenance of visitor facilities • To identify deficiencies • To provoke discussion amongst stakeholders as to the potential effect of visitor facilities condition on parks image • To make recommendations on improving visitor facilities condition • To identify threats to natural heritage values due to tourism impacts • To recommend ways of reducing tourism impact • To prepare management recommendations on threats/problems observed
1 2
Scope of Study (Study boundaries) The study involved gathering genera] data about the site regarding conservation, management. tourism and visitor facilities. Visitor facilities were scrutinized to a higher degree. The park is very large so generally back country attractions ( attractions that are more than 3km from main roads) were not visited due to time and resource constraints. The study was conducted by an individual and not by a planning team. The work constitutes a preliminary assessment of Twenty one (21) sites within the park which are frequented by tourists. Methodology Several visits were made to the site over a four month period, from September 2006 to December 2006. Visits were made in private transportation and in two cases as part of a group conducting a one day tour. The activities of tourists were observed and visitor facilities were photographed. Available maps, documents and newspaper articles related to the site collected and read. Interviews, mostly informal., were conducted with Park Superintendent (Mr. Manannop Narong), staff of WildAid (Mr. Tim Redford and Ms. Megan), Park stall; Staff of RFD (Royal Forest Department) and tourists. The World Wide Web was searched for articles related to the park and to protected area management. Class notes were used and university advisor was consulted. All the information collected was analyzed and organized in the form of a document which would enable the reader to understand generally what was occurring at the park with regard to tourists and the condition of visitor facilities on the day of the visit. The key concepts Management, Site Diagnostic, Visitor Facilities, Best Practice Guidelines, Conservation, Tourism, Proactive, Strategy Defmitions of key concepts Management: 1be process of personnel leading and directing all or part of an organization through the deployment and manipulation of resources (capifa.4 human, intellectual or intangible). Management operates through various functions (planning, organizing, leading/motivating and controlling). 3
• Planning: deciding what has to happen in the future and generating plans of action. • Organizing: making optimum use of the resources available to enable the successful execution of plans. • Leading/Motivating: exhibiting skills in the areas for getting others to play an effective part in achieving goals. • Controlling: monitoring - checking progress against plans, which may need modification based on feedback. (Wikipedia,2007a) Best Practice Guidelines: Documents which contains a series of procedures which if implemented on a site have the potential of improving the condition of the site. Documents are produced by experienced professionals working for organizations interested in the particular subject. The procedures are taken from multiple projects, these procedures have proven to be effective over long periods and under various conditions. (Wikipedia, 2007b) Conservation: The processes of looking after a place so as to retain its meaning to people. It includes provision for the security of the place, its maintenance and its future. and is based on respect for the existing state of the place, the use and activities at the place, and its meaning to communities. (Adapted form Walker, 1992) Tourism: Tourism is the sum of the phenomena and relationships from the interaction among tourists, business suppliers, host governments, host communities, origin governments, universities, community colleges and non-governmental organizations, in the process of attracting, transporting, hosting and managing these tourists and other visitors. ( taken from class notes original source Weaver & Oppermann, 2000) Visitor Facilities: Infrastructure built to accommodate tourists they include (informational and interpretive facilities, overnight accommodation, campgrounds, entrance stations and back country campsites) Proactive: To be proactive means taking a series of measures designed to prevent negative occurrences, as it is more difficult and expensive to correct problems than it is to prevent problems. (Wikpedia, 2007c) 4
Strategy: Detailed plan for achieving success. Site Diagnostic: A data gathering process which aims to identify major threats to the protected area and what strategies might be used to address them. A site diagnostic is early in the planning process (See figure 1) or on a periodic basis, it is done to access the past and the present. Tt is usuaHy done by a planning team and involves review of existing written material, field work, interviews and questionnaires, surveys, consultative meetings and workshops. The large amount of diverse data is usually classified into separate categories for analysis. Drumm et al. (2004) in their conservation planning manual (Chapter 3 Step 2: Full Site Diagnostic(FSD) pp. 71-78) utilized the fo11owing categories: natural resources, cultural resources, protected area management status, visitor patterns, activities and infrastructure, tourism plans and policies, communities, partnerships, marketing and promotion and opportunities and obstacles. In 1999 the National Park Service of United States produced a document entitled "State of the Park for Yellowstone National Park" which covered the following categories: Landscape, Wildlife, Culture, Science, Management, Infrastructure, Staff and Funding. Figure 1: Ecotourism management and development planning process
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Ecofovrimi td.nnfiad QI &orourlifn -~ .. Polenti<,I « Clppo - Source: adapted from Drumm A. et al. 2004 p. 62 8 Identification Brief History of Site: The Khao Yai National Park area had been one of Thailand's extensive and pristine areas until the 1950's when some 30 families from two villages in the nearby lowlands moved into the mountains ofKhao Yai to farm, hunt and collect forest products. Later because of its isolation the village became a hideout for criminals and a potential refuge for communist insurgents, the government disbanded the village and returned the settlers to the lowland. The grasslands around park headquarters are evidence of the villager's agricultural activities. Before Khao Yai was decreed a national park part of the cleared grounds had been developed for recreation, including visitor facilities and a golf course. In 1959 Dr. Boonsong Lekagul and George C. Ruhle, toured the country in search of areas they thought would make fine sanctuaries and held discussions on the establishment of a National Parks system (See appendix "The legacy of Mr. Conservation" pp. 137-142). Among Ruhle's recommendations, many of which were subsequently followed, included Thung Sa1aeng Luang, Khao Yai, Doi Pui, Doi Inthanon and Phu Kradung. Established in 1962, KYNP became the Kingdom's first national park. In 1966 the park received 41,000 visitors, 180,000 visitors in 1981 and 700,000 visitors in 1990. At the end of 1991 due to overcrowding and tragic loss of wildlife, the government decided to close Khao Yai to overnight stays; at the same time the golf course and the Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) accommodations and restaurant were also closed, bringing down visitor numbers. In October 1993, the park began to offer limited accommodation in Royal Forest Department (RFD) bungalows. Once again Khao Yai regained popularity, by this time Resorts had proliferated particularly on the Pak Chong side of the park The park remains under serious threat from poaching, government and military employees living inside park boundaries and rising tourist numbers. (Adapted from Grey et. al., l 994, pp. 5, 35 and 36) 9 Description and Inventory: Physical Environment Area: 2,168 sq. km. Topography: The Park covers a wide area and the topography varies however the topography is primarily mountainous. The South East border of the park is about 200m aOOve sea level; there is a rise to about 1300m in the middle of the park. The East is characterized by lower undulating terrain. "In the North there is a gradual rise while in the south and west there is a steep escarpment." (Kasetsart, 1997, p. 10) The North East is bounded by a wall like mountain Khao Kamphaeng. ''The 6 highest peaks in the Phanom Dong Rek mountain range are: Khao Laem (1,326m), Khao Rom (1,351m), Khao Khieo (1,292m) Khao Karnphaeng (875 m), Khao Sam Yot (1,142 m) And Khao Fa Pha (1,078 m)." (Kasetsart, 1997, p. IO) "Khao Yai is a significant headwater area, discharging nearly 2,000 mi1lion cu. m. of water into 4 rivers: The Nak.on Nayok, Prachinbur~ Lam Takong and Lam Pra Praeng." (Kasetsart, 1997, p 10) In the park there are several waterfulls which serve as principal attractions to visitors such as: Heaw Suwat, Pha Kloymai and Kongkaew in the Lam Takong watershed and Heaw Narok, Sarika, Nang Rong in the Nakhon Nayok watershed. There are also small ponds scattered throughout the park. The cool fresh air is one of Khao Yai's great assets. The average temperature range from 28°C in the hottest months to average temperature as low as 17°C in the months of December and January. Many small groups and families wishing to escape the heat of Bankok travel to KYNP to enjoy the change in temperature. The combination of biodiversity, physical features and proximity to the capital has helped KYNP maintain its position as one of the favorite national parks in Thailand. 12 Geology: "The geology of the park is old compared to other areas in the country." (Kasetsart, 1997. p.10) The Kanchanaburi formation (Paleozoic period), Ratchaburi formation (Permian Period) and Korat formation are found within the park. Soil: In the east soils are colluvial. In the north lateritic soils can be found. In the west there is non-calcic brown soil. Soil in the south is old alluvium. The eastern and central part soil is mixed podzolic and lateric: North - Pak Chong Series South - Klaeng Series East and Central - Ka binbur~ Chiang mai, Chatturat, Korat, Khao Y ai and Lam Narai series West - Muak Lek Series (Kasetsart, 1997, pp 10-11) Biological Inventory Vegetation: There are five main vegetation types: 1) In the northwest region there is predominantly mixed deciduous forest at an elevation of 400-600 m above sea level. 2) In the East - dry evergreen forest (26% of the area) at an elevation of 100-400m. 3) In the Central and East side- moist evergreen forest (more than 60% of the area) at 400-lO00rn. 4) Hill evergreen forest an elevations higher than 1000m 5) Grassland or secondary growth (5%) resulting from clearings made in the past. "There are an estimated 2000-2500 plant species in Khao Yai. Species of note include: Afzelia xylocarpa, Xylia kellii, Lagerstroemia calyculata,Dipterocarpus alatus, Hopea odorata, Castanopisis acuminatissima, Lithocarus annamesis, Podocapus sp., and Sphagnum, etc. Two rare species which can be found are: Palaquium koratense and Manauthes prachinburiensis. Endemic species include: Thismia mirabilis, Bulhophyllum khaoyaiense, Neolourya thailandica, Combretum quadratwn, and Embelia ke"ii (found around the Radar station at Khao Keaw where moisture is high)." (Kasetsart 1997, p.11) 13 Wildlife: 1) Mamma]s: There are 64 species recorded, including 16 carnivore species, such as Panthera tegris, Panthera pardus, Fe/is bengalensis (Photo 4, p.10). There is 1 recorded proboscidian: Elephas maximus (Photo 1, p. 10), 3 insectivores, 5 primates (eg Hylobates pileatus, Macaca nemestrina (Photo 3, p. 10) , 6 rodents, 7 aritodactyls (cg Cervus unicolor, Bos gaurus (Photo 2, p. 10), Muntiacus rnuntjak), 25 chiropterans and 1 lagomorph. 2) Birds: There are 295 species recorded with 200 resident species. Species of note include Ptilolaemus tickelli, Buceros bicornis, Lophura diardi, Lophura nycthemera, Psittacula alexandri, and Mulleripicus pulverulentus. 3) Reptiles: Recorded reptiles include Trimeresurus albolahris, Varanus sp., Draco sp., Naja naja, Ophiophagus hannah, Python reticulates, Bungarus Jasiapus." (Kasetsart 1997, pll) 4)Butterflies: Lemon Emigrant (Catopsilia Pomona), Small Leopard( Phalatanta alcippe), Green Dragontail (Lamproptera meges), Orange Anlet (Bibasis harisa), Silk Moths (Samia canningii), Notodontids (Trabala pa/Iida), Biston sp. , Hawk Moths (Ambulyx substrigilis) (National Park 2006, pp. 96, 97) 5)Beetles: Stag Beetle (Prosopocoilus(Cladoguatus)giraffa), Rainbow Jewel Beetle (Chrysochroa saundersil), Long-armed beetle (Cheirotonus parryi), KhaoYai's Giant Beetle (Chalcosoma atlas), Tiger Beetle (Cosmodela sp.), Weevil or Snout Beetle ( C.."'yrrotrachelus sp.) (National Park 2006, pp. 98, 99) 6) Lantern Fly (Pyrops sp.), Praying Mantis, Scorpion 7) From literature reviewed list of fishes have not been found. Neighboring Communities The area of the park is in four provinces (Figure 2): Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi and Nakhon Ratchasirna. There are in excess of 200 villages surrounding the park. Villages are located outside of the park and comprise mainly of single family dwellings with an average of 5 members for each household. "Seventy nine percent of household 15 Park Stakeholders There are many stakeholders in KYNP, each group has its own particular objectives, and these include: government, non governmental organizations (NGO~s}, academia, civil society, businesses and international organizations. Some of the stakeholders identified are as follows: Government Stakeholders: National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department Tourism Authority of Thailand Park Planners and Managers Park Employees Royal Forest Department (RFD) The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) The Ministry of Science Technology and the Enviromnent (MOSTE) Office of the National Ecooornic and Social Development Board Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment The Office of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP) The Pollution Control Department (PCD) The Department ofEnvirorunental Quality Promotion (DEQP) Nakhon Ratchasima Province Prachin Buri Povince Nak.hon Nayok Province SaraburiProvince Pak Chong District Wang Yen District K.abin Buri District Kaeng Khoi District NGO's: WildAid Thailand Foundation for Khao Yai National Park Protection 16 Save the Tiger Fund The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Conservation Society Green World Foundation Academia: Thailand Development Research lnstitute Mahidol University Hornbill Research Foundation Forestry Research Center, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University Civil Society: Park volunteers Park visitors Local community Land owners around area Residents (in and around area) Businesses Green Leaf Guesthouse and Tours Wildlife Safari Phubade Hotel Khao Yai Garden Lodge Wan-Ree Resort Golden Valley Resort Juldis Khao Yai Resort Resource extraction interests Concessionaries, licensees and permit holders International Organizations United Nations Education, Scientific and Culture Organization (UNESCO) United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) United Nations Development Program (UNDP) 17 Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) The World Conservation Union (JUCN) Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) European Commission (EC) Danish Cooperation on Environment and Development (DANCED) Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) CARE Thailand World Wide Fund fur Nature There is a need to improve communication and the working relationship between stakeholders. Outreach to villagers is necessary. The current economic condition of villagers makes it difficult for them to participate in park decisions. It is costly for villagers to attend meetings nx,st likely they would also find it difficult to take time off from attending their livestock or crops. It is very likely many villagers do not have private transportation and do not have computers and access to internet. The difference in the economic power of the stakeholders must be taken into account. Apparently those with low economic power have a very small voice and those stakehoklers with more economic power have a comparative]y strong voice. The tourists are another group of stakeholders that are usually left out of the decision making process because as a tourist the individual may visit the park once or twice, so there are unique methods that can be used the get the opinion of the visitor and incorporate these opinion into the park planning process. The park website should be designed to enable stakeholders to communicate with each other and upload content. It may be effective if less advanced means of communications are used to communicate with villagers such as radio and leaflets. Periodic meetings and forums are necessary to listen to the views of stakeholders and to inform them of past achievements and future projects. Visitor surveys, suggestion box and website are tools that can be used to give a greater voice to park visitors and others whose opinions are unknown or whose voices are not currently being heard. CHAPTER3 CONSERVATION OVERVIEW Introduction Thailand protected area system is currently a work in progress. The system currently consist of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, forest parks, non hunting areas and various other descriptions which are being added. In addition many local communities protect portions of their villages to maintain or regenerate natural systems. Thailand protected area system was established in 1962 when Khao Yai was established as the country's first National Park. The total protected area system covers 17% (88,000sq.km) with the total number of officially recorded protected areas being over 260, with several new areas being proposed. The protected areas system is comprised of relatively fragmented areas which are under threat from poaching (See photos 9 and 10, p. 31), encroachment, infrastructural and tourism development, illegal logging, illicit wildlife trade and over fishing in the marine protected areas. Based on the 1998 Constitution and the related Government Decentralization Act of 1999, more budgetary and planning responsibility was being transferred form central government to the sub-districts. Following the September 2006 Coup in Thailand a new Constitution is set to be drafted. It remains to be seen what effect if any the new constitution will have on the decentralization process. There has been a growing awareness in Thailand on the importance of conserving nature. This was manifested in the protest over the construction of the Nam Choan hydrop::,wer dam in 1982 and again in l 988 with the disastrous collapse of hillsides in Nakhon Sritthammrat during and immense rainstorm. In, 1989 in response to this tragedy a nation wide ban on logging was imposed. Currently there is tension between Government bodies responsible for planning and enforcement in protected areas and local communities which depend on the forest for their livelihood. There is no agreement between those who advocate for strict conservation and those who advocate for sustainable forest use. The tension builds 18 19 as populations grow and needs increase, habitats are degraded and species are lost with the passage of time. Forest and biodiversity consen-ation in Thailand The National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP) is a strategic plan which serves a framework for medium term national development of Thailand. The following table shows how conservation has progressed with relation to the NESDP. Table 1: Progress of forest and biodiversity conservation in Thailand PLAN NUMBER OF COVERAGE(%)' FOREST REMARKS PROTECTED COVER' AREAS 1• 8 1 51 The National Park Section NESDP was established and 1961-66 became a subdivision of the National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary 2'" 8 1 42 NESDP 1967-71 3"' 39 4.9 38.7 The National Park and NESDP Wildlife Sanctuary 1972-76 sulxiivisions became two separate divisions. The enhancement and conservation ofNational Environmental Quality Act was passed in 1975. 4'' 97 8.9 30.5 20 NESDP 1977-81 5"' 148 10.5 29.5 The Cabinet approved the NESDP National Forest Policy in 1982-86 1985. A target of 40% forest cover was set ( 15% protection forest and 25% production in 1975) 6"" 185 13.9 26.6 A nationwide logging ban NESDP was introduced in 1989. 1987-91 The first conference on biodiversity was held in 1989. Forest zoning was initiated in 1989. The cabinet approved measures for managing mangrove forest and coral reefs in 1991. Huay Kha Khaeng- Thung Yai Naresuan was declared a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 7m 222 15.2 25.6 The National Park NESDP Division was divided into 1992-96 two divisions: Terrestrial National Parks and Marine National Parks. The 40% forest cover target was revised to 25% for 21 protection forest and 15% for production forests. Revision of the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act (1992). Revision of the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act (1992). 8" 270 16.9 25.3 NESDP 1997- 2001 ijlli NIA NIA NIA On July 14,2005, The NESDP world Heritage Committee 2002- agreed to inscribe Dong 2006 Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Adapted from: Emphandhu D. 1 Percentage of Land Area. 2 Percentage of Land Area at end of Plan. Legal Framework There are several laws related to conservation and biodiversity, the following is a list of some of the laws that affect protected areas: • "Enhancement and Conservation of the National Environmental Quality Act 1992 22 • Notification of Ministry of Science Technology and the Environment (MOSTE) on types and sizes of projects or activities of government agencies, state enterprises or private persons required to prepare an environmental impact assessment report 1992 (24 August 1992)." (Tau, 1998) Conservation of Natural Resources • Forest Act 1941 (B.E. 2484) • National Park Act 196l(B.E. 2504) • Forest Reserve Act 1964 (B.E. 2507) • Wildlife conservation and protection act 1992 (B.E. 2535) • Reforestation Act 1992 (B.E. 2535) (FAO, 1998) • Forestry Act 1947, amended in 1989 • Conservation of Wild Elephants Act 1921 (Second issue 1960) (Tan, 1998) • A new conununity forest act is being drafted (F AO, I 998) "Title: National Parks Act Date: 3 October 1961 (B.E. 2504) Brief Description: Act making provision for the establishment and management of national parks. Administrative authority: Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (Director, National Park Division, Royal Forest Department). Designations: National Park Any land or natura1 feature which is of interest to be maintained with a view to preserving it for the benefit of public education and pleasure, with the provision that such land is not owned or legally possessed by any person other than a public body. Prohibited activities are defined in Chapter 3 of the act to provide comprehensive habitat and wildlife protection, but with provision for recreation. 23 Source: Translated original legislation Title: Wild Animals Reservation and Protection Act Date: 26 December 1960 (B.E. 2503) Brief description: A law for the reservation and protection of wild animals Administrative authority: Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (Director, Wildlife Conservation Division, Royal Forest Department) Designations: Wild animal preserved area (Wildlife sanctuary) any area deemed appropriate for the preservation of the breed of animal and on land not owned or legally possessed by any other person other than a public body. Non-hunting area Any place used for official service or public interest or place for common use of the public in which hunting of any wild animal of any kind or category is prohibited. Source: Translated original legislation Title: National Forest Reserves Act Date: 16 April 1964 (amended 1989) Brief description: An act to amend the law on the protection and reservation of forest Administrative authority: Ministry of Agriculture and cooperatives (Director, Wildlife Conservation Division, Royal Forest Department) Designations: National reserved forest a forest designated as such under this or, preceding but repealed, acts on protection and reservation of forest ( 1938, 1953, I 954) fur the purpose of preserving forest, timber, forest products or other natural resources, by recourse to a Ministerial Regulation within such a forest is forbidden to hold or possess land, clear land, burn furest, work timber, gather forest products or do any act detrimental to the nature of the national resenred forest with the exception of: 24 (I) working timber or gathering forest products under Section 15, utilizing or dwelling under Section 16, acting under Section 17, putting to use under Section 18 or acting under Section 19 or 20; (2) Working prohibited timber or gathering prohibited forest products under the laws on forest."' (Kasetsart 1997, A-1) Title: Community Forest Act Date: Currently being discussed Brief Description: '"Three versions are said to exist: two written by NGO's and one by government. This reflects a split in NGO's; the hardcore protectionist, feel that relocation of communities is justifiable to retain pure protection zones. The second group is more supportive of communities staying in the forest, and are finding "Ways to pro-actively involve them in planning and protection activities" (FAQ, 1998) Administrative authority: Royal Forest Department, National Policy Committee on community forest, Provincial community forest monitoring committee, Community forest group of fifty persons. Designation: A community forest can be anywhere the community wants to be designated as community forest whether it is within the limits of a conservation zone such as a national park, wildlife sanctuary, watershed area; or a non conservation zone such as national forest reserves, (National Forest Reserve Act 1%4) forest area (Forest act 1961) and public use area. (Adapted, FAO, 1998) (See newspaper article ""Villagers to co-manage forest site in appendix pp. 124) Title: The bill on National park conservation Date: Currently being reviewed 25 "Each park would have to designate a 10-rai plot ofland as a service zone with hotels and other tourism facilities. The development of such a zone would be conducted by private firms that receive approval from the chief of the National Park Department. The bil1 defines "service zone" as a place located in a national park where poople can pursue wildlife and environmental studies but also provide tourism facilities for visitors" (Bangkok Post l 7/12/06) Title: The National Wildlife Conservation Bill Date: Currently being reviewed "The Bill, while prohibiting most forms of wildlife trade, exempts the practice between zoos and those receiving permission from the department chief' (Bangkok Post 17 /l 2/06) Some conservation organizations see it "As an attempt to legalize wildlife trade through the channel of zoos. The Bill considered wildlife as 'goods' not valuable items to be studied" (Bangkok Post l 7 /12/06) Aside from local legislation Thailand is party to a number of international agreements regarding biodiversity and conservation. Some of these are: • Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention). The convention functions as an international legal instrument governing the preservation and maintenance of cuhural and natural heritage sites. The Convention has several articles and there are also the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Article 5 has several commitments on behalf of state parties to: give the natural heritage site a function in the life of the community, to develop scientific and technical studies and research and to take the appropriate legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures necessary for the identification, protection, 26 conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the heritage places within their territories. (UNESCO, 2007b) The Operational Guidelines has detailed instructions on: The process for monitoring the state of conservation of World Heritage Properties, Periodic reporting on the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, Encouraging support for the World Heritage Convention and The World Heritage Fund and International Assistance (UNESCO, 2005) (More information on the World Heritage Convention- Article 5 and Article 11 have been placed in the Appendix pp. 115 -116) • "'CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival... CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls." (www.cites.org) • ''The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty that was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The Convention has three main goals: I. conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity); 2. sustainable use of its components; and 3. fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. ... its objective is to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. It is often seen as the key document regarding sustainable development." (Wikipedia, 2007d) • "Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, governments, and major groups in every area in which humans impact on the environment." (www.un.org) 27 "Structure and Contents There are 40 chapters in Agenda 21, divided into four sections: Section I: Social and Economic Dimensions This section includes combating poverty, changing consumption patterns, population and demographic dynamics, promoting health, promoting sustainable settlement patterns and integrating environment and development into decision-making. Section II: Conservation and Management of Resources for Development This section addresses atmospheric protection, combating deforestation. protecting fragile environments, conservation of biological diversity (biodiversity) and control of pollution. Section III: Strengthening the Role of Major Groups lbis section deals with the roles of children and youth, women. NGOs, local authorities, business and workers. Section IV: Means of[mplementation This section of the document includes science, technology transfer, education. international institutions, mechanisms and financial mechanisms." Local Agenda 21 The implementation of Agenda 21 was intended to involve action at international, national. regional and local levels. Some national and state governments have legislated or advised that 1oca1 authorities take steps to implement the plan locally, as recommended in Chapter 28 of the document. Such programs are often known as "LocaJ Agenda 21' or "LA21 '." (en.wikipedia.org) Agenda 21 does not have an enforcement mechanism to achieve its goals, it relies on voluntary compliance of sig~tofY,,ations. • In 1994 .. most countries joined an international treaty - The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - to 28 begin to consider what can be done to reduce global warming and to cope with whatever temperature increases are inevitable. Recently. a number of nations have approved an addition to the treaty the: Kyoto Protocol which has more JX)Werful and legally binding measures." (unfcc.int) On August 28, 2002 Thailand ratified Kyoto. • Ramsar Convention .. The Convention on Wetland, signed in Ramsar. Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 153 Contracting Parties to the convention, with 1634 wetland sites, totaling 145.6 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands oflnternational Importance." (www.ram.sar.org) • UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program "'The man and the Biosphere Program (MAB), proposes an interdisciplinary research agenda and capacity building aiming to improve the relationship of people with their environment global1y. Launched in the ear1y 1970's, it notably targets the ecological, social and economic dimensions of biodiversity loss and the reduction of this loss. It uses its world Network of Biosphere Reserves as vehicles of knowledge sharing, research and monitoring, education and training and participatory decision making." (www.unesco.org/mab/) Table 2: Status of Thailand's international biodiversity Agreements STATUS OF THAJLAND'S INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS CITES - Ratified in l 983 World Heritage Convention - Ratified 1987 Convention on Biological Diversity - Signed in 1992 Agenda 21 - Adopted in l 992 United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change - Ratified 1994 RAMSAR Convention - Ratified in 1998 Kyoto Protocol - Signed l 999, Ratified 2002 29 Many of these laws and agreements have a bearing on KYNP. lt is necessary to study very closely the effect which Community Forest Act and Agenda 21 will have on the Park. The park was formed in a different era and under different concepts. The concept of wilderness areas and top down management have given way to sustainably managed areas and a management system where there is participation of stakeholders and the sharing of powers and responsibilities with stakeholders. Institutional Framework Protected areas management is largely the responsibility of the Royal Forest Department (RFD), The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) and the Ministry of Science Technology and the Environment (MOSTE). Part of the RFD is The Natural Resource Conservation Office which is divided into: National Park Division, Marine National Park Division, Wildlife Conservation Division and Watershed Management Division. Agencies under MOAC are the Department of Fisheries (DOF), and the Natural Resources and Biodiversity Institute. "In 1992 the Office of the National Environmental Board was replaced by three new departments: The Office of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP), The Pollution Control Department (PCD), and the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (DEQP)" (Emphandhu, 2006) Some lnternational Organizations that have been involved in conservation projects in Thailand: • European Commission (EC) • United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) • Danish Cooperation on Environment and Development (DANCED) • Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) • United Nations Development Program (UNDP) • The World Conservation Union (IUCN) • CARE Thailand • World Wide Fund fur Nature 32 The park administration structure in 1997 had 1 superintendent, 13 assistant superintendents and 85 staff There are 20 ranger stations along the OOrder and 2 within the park. Table 3: KYNP Budget 1991-2000 YEAR AMOUNT IN BAHT 1991 8,693,016 1992 10,624,459 1993 12,303,910 1994 12,011,720 1995 13,420,857 8,032,728 (Road) 1996 16,206,500 149,289,000 (Demarcation Project) 1997 29,277,300 1998 27,000,000 1999 NIA 2000 18,000,000 Sources: (TDRI, 1995) (Kasetsart, 1997) (Panusittikorn, Prato, 2001) The budget shows a rising trend but it also shows that at times the amount can fall The budget for each New Year is unknown causing planning and management diflicuhies. On the peripheries of Khao Yai National Park, "'The Population and Community Development Association initiated the Ban Sab Thai project on the premise that !X)Verty impels villagers to make inroads into their pristine surroundings." (Grey et. al., 1994) Vil1age clubs were set up to educate villagers on park boundaries, soil conservation, water conservation, and more productive farming techniques. "Loans were disbursed and locals, including few ex-poachers, hired as guides for special treks into Khao Yai."(Grey et. al., 1994) The project received the Global 500 Award of the United Nations Environment Program, presented annually to individuals and organizations for outstanding achievements in 33 protecting the world's environment ... at Ban Sab Thai itself the project floundered when rising land prices enticed vi11agers to sel1 their farmland and move elsewhere." (Grey et.al, 1994, p.8) One of the most successful efforts to protect the park was the resuh of collaboration between Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and WildAid. The Khao Yai initiative was conducted between 1999 and 2004. The initiative was a pilot project of Wildaids Suriving Together program. ( WildAid (Thailand) ,2004a) "WildAid's 'Surviving Together' program helps improve the conservation status and capacity of select protected areas by adopting a four-pronged approach: improving and coordinating management, protection, wildlife monitoring and local community outreach" ( WildAid(Thailand) 2004a, p.11) Park Protection The park protection aspect involved constant patrols aIXl rotating routes at random. "In 2004, they patrolled 303 times, spent 534 days in the forest and reported 64 encounters with 88 poachers; most of whom were searching for the valuable aromatic resin known as aloe wood (mai hom or mai krasana in Tha1) a total ofl,622 kgs ofaloew~od was confiscated. Wildlife Monitoring Major projects invo]ving wi]dlife: The Elephant Project, the Carnivore Project and The Thailand Hombill Project. ''The Carnivore Project has four aims; • To strengthen Khao Yai's role as a regional model fur biodiversity monitoring, protection and management by adding enterprise in carnivore monitoring. • To develop the wildlife monitoring capacity of park staff. • To establish a monitoring program for carnivore at Khao Yai National Park. 34 • To develop a monitoring database and reporting system that will help manage carnivore population within the Dong Phayayen Khao Yai forest complex. (Adapted from Wild.Aid Thailand, 2004a, p. 13) The Thailand Hombill Project began in 1979 to study the biology and ecology of hombills in Khao Yai National Park. '"As the years passed, the scope of the study grew and the area studied expanded. As a result, 14 years later in 1993, the research project became the Hombill Research Fom1dation" "There are 54 species of hombill in the world according to the Handbook of the Birds ofthe World, Volume 6, 13 of which can be found in Thailand. According to the Hombill Research Foundation, only the Oriental Pied Hombill (Anthracoceros albirostis) is still commonly found. The remaining 12 types are threatened, endangered or vulnerable to extinction." (Achakulwisut, 2006) Community Outreach and Natural Resource Management Some Outreach efforts target the poorest villages surrounding the park where most of the poachers of wild animals and non·timber forest products originate. At the end of December 2006 the Bangkok Post carried a headline story indicating what had occurred in some cases: "Sarit Srisang, kamnan of Tarnbon Klang Dong, said the Forestry Department allocated land on K.hao Yai Thiang to farm-less villagers, who were eligible for a 20-rai plot. Several villagers then leased or sold their plots to wealthy businessmen who built resort-style houses. The property remains in the names of the villagers." (Ruangdit, Wongruang, 2006) "The outreach team encourages villagers to give up poaching by combining environmental education with income generating projects." (Wild.Aid Thailand, 2004a, p. 14) The eight villages in the program are: I. Khok Saard, Wang-mee, Wangnamkhiew, Nakhon Ratchasima ~ Mushroom Farming. Organic Vegetable Fanning, Home Stay Tourism 36 involves carrying groups of students from surrounding villages to experience the park and learn about its importance to them, to the nation and to the world. Currently the level of park protection and wildlife monitoring has fallen to well below 2004 levels. 1be park claims that it is unable to maintain such levels due to insufficient finance. It is necessary to have access to information about budgetary allocations to know how much is being allocated to park protection and how much is allocated to administration. It is apparent that most of the funds received (See table 3) are used in administrative costs. Some outreach and education programs are currently being executed. Low level of park protection will lead to further loss of biodiversity. CHAPTER4 TOURISM OVERVIEW INRODUCTION Tourism is a major contributor to the social and economic development of Thailand. In recent years the number of tourist visiting Thailand has been on the increase. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAn website figures 7.22 million international tourist visited Thailand in 1997, 9.51 million in 2000 and 11.52 million in 2005. During the first 10 months of 2006, the top six countries of origin for visitors to Thailand were, in order, Japan, China, South Korea, the U.K and The U.S and Singapore. Russia posted the largest increase of any country, with 99,247 arrivals (up 108% over the same period last year). TAT had projected 13.5 million international visitors for 2006 and 14.8 million visitors for 2007. Domestic tourism is also on the rise with Thailand recording 52.05 domestic tourists in 1997 and 79.53 million domestic tourists in 2005. It is expected that both international and domestic tourist numbers will continue to rise. Factors contributing to the rise in tourism numbers were: improved global and local economic situation, quality tourism product, government policy geared toward an increase in tourist numbers, liberalization of the airline industry and marketing campaigns nationally and internationally. Tourism is a very sensitive industry and has been impacted negatively in the past: The Asian economic crisis (1997), 9-11(2001), SARs (2003) and the Tsunami (2004). The past year has been a very difficult year for 1bai1and. Some events which had negative impact on tourism were: the political umest throughout the year, The September 2006 coup, the October floods, the December stock market crash and the New Years Eve multiple bombings in Bangkok. The opening of the Suvarnabhumi airport in September 2006 was expected to be a positive boost but performance in the first two months of the 37 38 year were below expectation. The most positive event was the Grand Celebrations of His Majesty the Kings 60th year on the throne in the month of June. Thailand was able to showcase its legendary hospitality to the visiting monarchs, dignitaries and tourists. There are regional and national threats which may affect regional and national tourism: Potential outbreak of Bird Fl~ rise in the price of oil, national and regional terrorism, North Korea nuclear program and others. Potential positive developments for tourism are: The economic rise of China and India, The new large aircraft the "Dreamliner", the airbus A380 and possible fall in the price of oil. 1be events of 2006 leave Thailand with the task of improving: Political and Economic stability and security. Most observers and analysts predict that the slowdm.vn wi11 be short term and that the Thai tourism industry will flourish in the medium and long term. THAILAND RECENT TOURISM POLICY The aim of the previous administration was to boost tourism growth. Part of the policy was to position Thailand as a Hub in sectors such as fashion, film-making, shopping, transportation, health and wellness, conventions, etc., another development was the One Tambon One Product scheme. Tarn.boo in Thailand is a sub district. Rural dwellers were encouraged to develop a unique product for their sub-district for sale to tourists or other sub-districts. The frrst Thai Ministry of Tourism was formed and the Thai Convention and Exhibition Bureau were both formed in 2002. In 2003 there was the liberalization of the aviation industry and the formation of the country's frrst low-cost airline Thai AirAsia. There was a push to develop Koh Chang into a mega-resort island. Two other projects were Thailand Elite Card and Thai Longstay Management (TLI\4). TLM offers services and privileges such as accident and heahh insurance, medical services, bank accounts and special care and attention by tourist police. Elite Card membership cost one milJion Baht and entitles holders to a wide range of lifetime services such as fast track immigration clearance as well as discount on hotels, health care, golf facilities and other activities. 39 ''History may well record that the Thaksin administration attempted to do too much too quickly, and placed too much emphasis on 'hardware' without commensurate effi>rts to meet the underlying software requirements." (Muqbil, Bangkok Post, 25/9/06) Despite the significant investment in travel and transportation there is still a lack of high quality educational and training facilities in either sector. "Environment and zoning laws have remained poorly enforced, a fact that became apparent in the aftermath of the tsunami. And the downside of liberal visa regulations emerged with the publicity surrounding the arrest of a suspected pedophile earlier this year." (Muqbil, 2006) The current Tourism and Sport minister has stated that the new "tourism policy would not aim merely at making revenue, but would also focus on preserving natural resources." (Theparat, Bangkok Post, 1 l/10/06) Some changes are expected in projects which are deemed by the new administration to be populist and extravagant. One project which is being scrutinized is the Thailand Elite Card. However the government is proceeding with caution fur fear of damaging the country's image. Some project like the OTOP schemes have remained on track with minimum change. With the change of government in September 2006, more changes in tourism policy is expected. TOURISM AT KHAO Y AI NATIONAL PARK List of some park attractions Main visitor center (Photo 37, 38, 39, p. 56) Prachin Buri river Nakhon Nayok river Ta Khlong river Phra phloeng river Muak Lek river Chao Par Khao Yai Spirit house (Photo 65, p. 65) Chao Pho Kho Khieo (Photo 98, p. 77) 40 Animal Observation Towers Nong Phak Chi wildlife watching tower (Photo 63, p. 60) Mo Sing To wildlife watching tower (Photo 64, p. 60) Bird watching trails Haew Narok waterfall (Photo 6, p. 11) Haew Prall101 waterfull (Photo 7, p. 11) (Photo 96, p. 75) Haew Sai waterfall Haew Suwat waterfall (Photo 5, 26, p. 11, 50) Hiking trails Rafting on the Kang Hin Perng Klong Tha Dan Dam (Photo 106, 107, p. 81,82) Pha Deaw Dai Viewpoint (Photo 8, p. 11) Km 29.5 viewpoint (Photo 70, p. 66) Km 30 viewpoint (Photo 21, p. 50) Kong Kiew waterfall Krang Kritsana, Haew Jukjun Waterfull Nang Rong Waterfall Mai Plong waterfall Pha Kluai Mai Pha Ta Bak waterfall group Sarika waterfall (photo 103, p. 80) Sarika Visitor Center (photo 40, p. 56) Ta Khro waterfall Ta Khro Visitor center (Photo 41, p. 56) Salad Dai waterfall Som Poi waterfall Ta Manow waterfall Ta Ta Kong waterfull Ta Ta Phu waterfall 43 It is possible to view flora and fauna in their natural environment. Many visitors participate in night safaris. There are a variety of bird species and KYNP is one of the favorite places for bird watchers in Thailand. There are 6 Hiking trails which are about 2- 8 kilometers in length. Rafting, biking and camping are activities which are popular among visitors at KYNP. The waterfalls, rivers and temperature provide opportunities for recreation depending on visitor tastes. (More information on tourist attractions have been placed in the Appendix pp. 117-121 of this document) Accessibility The principal areas of the park are quite accessible to private vehicle of any type. Transportation from Bangkok to Khao Yai is by 2 main routes: Saraburi-Nakhon Ratchasima route and Nakhon Nayok - Prachinburi route. There 1S a road which runs through the park from North to South (Highway 2090 and 3077) from Pak Chong to Prachinburi. (Kasetsart, 1997) Table 4: Name of Province and Distance from KYNP PROVINCE DISTANCE FROM KYNP (KM.) Bangkok 195 Nakhon Nayok 66 Phang Nga 983 Ubon Thani 432 Phitsanulok 403 Source: (TDRI, 1995, p.23) Visitor Numben Visitor numbers show a rising trend in the number of visitors over the years. The park has gone from as few as 115,675 visitors in 1977 to over 1,000,000 in 1991 and l 998. In 2004 the number of recorded visitors was 840,240. ln 1999 the amount of visitors fell dramatically when some of the popular facilities at the parks were closed and the coW1try suffered the effects of the 1997 Asian economic crisis. The political unrest in Thailand in the years 1988 and 1998 most likely caused a reduction in the amount of park visitors. 44 Table 5: Number of visitors per year to KYNP 1976-2004 YEAR NUMBER OF VISITORS 1976 140,699 1977 115,675 1978 118,912 1979 231,627 1980 161,240 1981 169,409 1982 196,730 1983 275,108 1984 258,803 1985 461,528 1986 426,320 1987 401,661 1988 336,962 1989 585,265 1990 713,893 1991 1,009,687 1992 944,940 1993 729,818 1994 817,261 1995 557,942 1996 538,023 1997 961,566 1998 1,148,928 1999 489,969 2000 479,809 45 2001 525,306 2002 695,740 2003 759,687 2004 840,240 Source: (TORI, 1995, p.8 and RFD) Peak Seasons Based on visitor numbers for the period of I January 2004 and 30 September 2005, The months with the most visitors are December, October and January. The months with the least visitors are February, March, June and September. Table 6: Number of visitors per Month (Jan. 2004- Sept. 2005) (RFD) MONTI! 2004 2005 VISITORS VISITORS January 112,011 !07,471 February 41,109 54,358 March 40,840 43,447 April 48,236 60,427 May 47,690 48,878 June 41,758 45,393 July 80,020 63,688 August 59,792 70,960 September 42,103 48,785 October 117,471 N.A. November 79,127 N.A. December 130,083 N.A. 46 Visitor Profile Table 7: One day and oven night visitors 2003 Designation Amount Percent One day visitors 666,731 86 Over night visitors 105,191 14 Source: RFD Table 8: Foreign and Thai one day visitors 2003 Designation Amount Percent Thai one day visitors 645,984 97 Foreign one day visitors 20,747 3 Source: RFD Table 9: Thai one day visitors 2003 Designation Amount Percent Thai one day non students 535,833 83 Thai one day students 110,151 17 Source: RFD Table 10: Thai over night visitors 2003 Designation Amount Percent Thai over night visitors non 64,668 64 students Thai over night student 36,856 36 visitors Somce: RFD 52 Some Negative Tourism Effects Tourism has both negative and positive effects; some of the negative effects caused by tourism are as follows; Environmental Impacts Litter and waste is generated by the tourists who visit the park. In some areas animals have become accustomed to extracting garbage from garbage receptacles. Water consumption and waste water treatment: the park is a important head water for many rivers in the area. Waste water from toilets may if not properly designed, po1lute rivers and ground water. Visitor traffic and crowding: occurs and reduces one's appreciation as well as causes stress to existing infrastructure. Air Pol1ution: The extent of air ix,llution is unknown, hut the majority of people entering the park do so in private vehicles. All these vehicles cause emissions especially those that are in poor mechanical condition. Collection of plant and animal species: At Haew Narok and Haew Suwat there 1s evidence of orchids being removed from their original locations. Visual pollution/aesthetics: Some new construction cause visual pollution because they have been built as and after thought and not as part of the master plan. Visitor traffic and crowding occurs and reduces one's appreciation as well as causes stress to existing infrastructure. Fire Hazard: Visitors increase the risk of furest fires. Wildlife Disturbance: Many of the tourists wish to get as close as possible to wildlife causing great disturbance. Vegetation Trampling: On the trails there is evidence of trampling on the vegetation Socio-cultural impacts of tourism Involvement in Tourism by vil1agers: There is limited participation of local villagers in tourism. If they do participate it is not at a high level position. Most villagers do not posses the skills and capital to participate in the tourism industry at management level. 53 Tour companies and villagers: There is low level of cooperation between tour companies and villagers. Majority of income goes to tour companies. Currently villagers are shut out of the tourism business. Long-term impacts and changes within the community Villagers have been tempted to sell their land. The road leading to the park (Tanarat Road) is now owned by hotel operators so the tourism industry occurs in a zone where the locals have been removed and excluded. Economic effects of tourism at KYNP Tourism has both negative and positive impacts on the economy. Some positive effects include: Government earnings through taxes, some employment opportunities, non urban areas are developed. Some negative effects are: low rate of pay for some kinds of employment, prices become too high for locals and income can become concentrated in a small sector of the community. It is necessary for stakeholders to work together to mitigate the negative effects caused by the tourism industry. ln Chapter 6 ways will be explored to try and reduce the negative impacts caused by tourism. Conclusion There has been an opportunity lost when big developers were allowed to take control of the most strategic areas for tourism development. Lessons can he learnt by other protected areas and the same situation can be avoided or reduced. Locals need to he given land security, education and access to credit. If the locals receive a greater portion of the economic benefit coming from tourism; there will be greater potential for successful and sustainable tourism. With time new areas may be developed it is hoped that greater efforts will be undertaken to ensure the participation and protection of locals. CHAPTERS VISITOR FACILITIES CONDITION ASSESSMENT AT KYNP Introduction With the amount of visitors it receives. the park has the responsibility to provide necessary services and infrastructure. Park roads, buildings, walking trails, electricity, water, sewage and garbage disposal systems all must be properly buih and maintained to ensure safety for visitors, researchers, employees and wildlife. Currently the park provides housing for employees, offices for administration and accommodation for visitors. The park is equipped with various facilities. According to the parks website facilities are as follows: Visitor Centers Accommodation Parking Camping siteffent Food services Soft drink kiosk Souvenir shop Visitor facilities that were found to be in functional and structurally sound were photographed and recorded according to type of service offered. The record serves as a means to inform management of the current condition of these facilities and as a point of reference for future inspections. 1be sites undergo changes with time so it is necessary for management to conduct inspections periodically to detect these changes and if these go beyond an acceptable limit, then management is able to take corrective measures. The condition of faci1ities is one of the indicators of the quality of management present at the site. Facilities in good condition serve to promote the positive image of the park; Facilities in poor condition reflects poorly on management and could encourage negative attitudes and comments toward the park. 54 61 Parking: Nationa] Park provides parking for a lot of visitors Food services: Restaurants are located in five areas of the park: Visitor center, Pha Kluai Mai Camp site, Lam Ta Kong, Heo Suwat waterfall and Haew Narok waterfall. Soft drink kiosk: Coffee, tea, soft drink Kiosk can be found in the park. Souvenir shop: Visitor center and Haew Narok Visitor centers: Main Visitor center, Sarika and Ta Khro Jn:frastructure: 86 km two lane highway, Electricity 24 hours a day. Brief look at Contestation over Infnstructure Over the years there has been great resistance concerning any type of construction in and around the park. This shows that there are many people who care about the park but it also shows that there is a low level of trust between key stakeholders. 1959 and 1960 George C. Ruhle ln his Mission reJX)rt Rule opposed such commercially oriented proposals such as the building ofan airfield atop Kradung Mountain, which he stressed, should be kept as place of solitude and isolation 'available to hardy hikers who are willing to pay in effort fur the privilege of reaching the summit.' He pleaded that a Khao Yai National Park 'Should be preserved in its unimpaired state a remnant of old Thailand. (Adapted from Grey et. al. 1994) Dr. Boonsong Lekagul, hunter turned pioneering conservationist ""It was Dr. Boonsong who laid down the boundaries of Khao Yai and led and early campaign to check those who wanted to tum the park into a mountain resort complete with golf courses, rose gardens and vacation villas." (Grey et. al. 1994) 2002 "Building Activity in Khao Yai National Park is hurting its ecology the park chief says" '"No more buildings should be put in the park said Chumpol Sukkasem" Mr. Chumpol Sukkasem was being replaced as Park Chief by Prawat Woharndee. 62 "Yingcheep Kerdthonglek. of the foundation for Khao Yai National Park Protection, said he was also worried about the amount of buildings going up" (Samabuddhi, 2002) (full newspaper article in Appendix p. 122) 2003 Nikom Putta an activist for the Ping watershed management project. "Forestry officials were destroying Khao Yai National Park with over-construction of roads and buildings" (Techawongtam & Wangvipula 2003) (full newspaper article in Appendix pp. 125 - 126) 2004 '"'Forestry authorities want to thwart a development plan for Khao Yai National Park by having the park declared the Kingdom's fifth world heritage site, a senior official said yesterday." (Listing sought for Khao Yai, Feb. 23, 2004) (full newspaper article appendix p. 130) 2005 "Ecologist yesterday urged the National Park, Wildlife and plant conservation department(DNP) to focus more on wildlife protection than tourism proll'K)tion at the Khao Yai national park to ensure the new World Heritage Park is well protected. 'In the past, the department has only emphasized improving tourist services at the park, leading to weak patrol missions and research,' said biologist Sompote Sirkosamat, of Mahidol University's Faculty of Science ... Raia.ya Chantien, president of the Seub Nakahasathien foundation, said the forest complex was likely to be better protected with the prestigious designation 'From now on, Thailand will have experts and naturalist from all over the world to help us look after this pristine rainforest complex. Any activity that would negatively affect Khao Ya~ such as construction of tourism facilities, would face strong global opposition." (Conservation 'must be park focus' 2005) 2006 "Environmental experts have warned that the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex could be removed from the World Heritage list if the construction of proposed elevated 85 Observation • Restroom in poor condition • Bus shelter in poor condition Recommendation • Prepare development plan for area Table 11 Summary of Observations A B C D E F G H I J K L M N 0 p 1 Chao Pho 7 Khao Yai " " " " " " " Spirit House 2 Kilometer ;/ ;/ ;/ ;/ 4 29.5 Viewpoint 3 Kilometer v v v 5 30 " " Viewpoint 4 Trail 9 Km ;/ v v v v 5 33- Nong Pak Chi 5 Visitor v v v 3 Center and Nature trail 6 Lam Ta v 6 Kong " ' ' ' ' Camp Ground 7 Pha Kluai v v 9 Mai ' ' ' " " " " 86 Campsite 8 Haew ;/ ;/ 6 Suwat area ' ' ' ' 9 HaewSai ;/ " " " 6 IO Haew ' " " ;/ "' 6 Pratum " ' Legend A- Insufficient Parking B- Poor trail condition C- Garbage disposal problems D- New seating needed E- Replace waler tanks F- Vegetation trampling G- No wheel chair access H- No restroom I- Poor Condition of Interpretive signs J- Crowding K- Shower stalls in poor condition L- Animals getting food form garbage receptacle M- Poor condition of steps N- No formal viewpoint 0- Unsightly vendors stalls P- Danger of injury 87 Table 11 continued Summary of observations A B C D E F G H I J K L M N 0 p 11 Khao 1 Yai " Motor lodge 12 Chao v v ' 6 Pho " " " Khao Khieo Shrine 13 Pha ' ' v v ;J 8 Deaw " ' ' Dai 14 Pha Kha v v v v 5 Jai, Pha " Chom Phu and Pha Ta llaek 15 Haew v v 4 Narok " " Waterfall 16 Sarilra v v 3 Waterfull " area 88 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N 0 p Q 17 Nang 1 Rong ' 18 Khlong 1 Tha Dan " Dam 19 Ta Khro 3 Waterfall " " " area 20 Som Poi 4 Waterfull " ' " " 21 Than 3 Thip " " " Waterfull Area Legend A- Insufficient Parking B- Poor trail condition C- Garbage disposal problems D- New seating needed E- Replace water tanks F- Vegetation trampling G- No wheel chair access H- No restroom I- Poor Condition of Interpretive signs 89 J- Crowding K- Shower stalls in poor condition L- Animals getting food form garbage receptacle M- Poor condition of steps N- No formal viewpoint 0- Unsightly vendors stalls P- Danger of injury The danger of injury at Haew Narok, Pha Diew Dai and security at Lam Tha Dan Dam make these high priority areas for management action to address these dangers. Pha Kluai Mai campsite, Pha Deaw Dai campsite/trail and Chao Pho Khao Y ai spirit house area show the most number of problems indicating that these areas should be next on the priority list. Preferably aH problem areas should be addressed in one major up1iftment project followed by an appropriate maintenance cycle however if this is not JX)ssible then the above table offers some guidance to park management and can be used for future inspections. CHAPTER6 Improvement Recommendations Conservation Observations: Currently at KYNP there are no systematic, regular and well equipped patrols to counter the actions of the poachers. Immediately outside the park there are a number of developments that are incompatible with conservation such as the existence of aloe wood factories. There is no buffer zone around the park and no zoning mechanism which would discourage high density residential development and undesirable agricuhure development such as pig and chicken farms. The lucrative trade of plants and animals extracted from the park continues and there are areas where the boundary of the park is unknown or contested. Possible Causes: Many of the observations mentioned above are probably caused by budgetary shortfalls or ineffective use of existing funds. There is also the problem of lack of alternative incomes for villagers near the park. In many cases the poor villagers are being used by wealthy individuals to extract valuable products form the park, raw materials are bought from vi1lagers at a low price. These raw materials are later refined or distilled and sold at great profit to the wealthy factory owners. Penalties and possibility of conviction is very high for those trafficking raw materials while convictions appear less likely for the wealthy factory owners. Recommendations: Conservation efforts should be based on the WildAid template which has the following components: Park protection, wildlife monitoring, community outreac~ natural resource management, environmental education and staff training. [t is necessary for the park to find mechanisms to increase its financial independence to be able to finance park protection and conservation projects. The park also needs to strengthen its capacity to manage funds received from various sources. The reactivation of ranger patrols by rangers who are well equipped and determined. The continuation of outreach activities are necessary to inform and also listen to villagers. Education of village youth should continue but also the internet should be used more effectively by 91 park management to inform and educate. The Parks Management should participate in the drafting and implementation of regional planning laws which protect the area around the park from developments which can have negative impacts and 'targeted laws' which can be effectively m;ed against wealthy factory owners. Management Obsenations: The Management Plan 2007-2017 is being ignored, is unknown or has not been received with enthusiasm by stakeholders. There is a lack of coordination and a low level of trust between stakeholders. It is highly likely that no report has been made about the level of achievement of the 2004 and 1997 Management Plans. The Areas where the park has little or no jurisdiction is causing some of the greatest negative impacts on the park. Causes: Apparently many stakeholders were excluded from the process of preparing the master plan; no participation means there is no commitment on their behalf. There is no systematic framework in place to coordinate stakeholder activities and participation. There is a general lack of finance, training, equipment, clear procedures, timetables and penalties for non compliance. Lack of systems of controls which are in line with modem management practice like: Monitoring and evaluation system, effective performance appraisal system, succession planning. Recommendations: The Management Plan 2007-2017 may need to be modified or should be revised following best practice guidelines with the objective of achieving agreement and commitment from stakeholders on what is going to be done, execution dates, procedures and standards, monitoring and evaluation. ft is the park employees who will be responsible for implementing the plan so there is a need to improve human resource through planning, employee development, and employee maintenance. Ensure employees have equipment to execute tasks. Park should work on the creation of clear procedures, timetables and evaluation of work outcomes. Park Management should organize meetings, focus groups and forums aimed at bringing stakeholders together and bringing staff together. It is possible that villagers do not have access to internet technology so it may be necessary to use appropriate technology such a radio and other 92 familiar forms of community outreach. There is a need on a national level to create park management policies following the example of .. Draft 2006 NPS Management Policies" available online. Figure 32: Participation in the planning Process Prolected Area SldH 5f>"<''""l,~t,,/ Sc,crnt,.I> Planning ---1To~,0p,:ru1o,~1 Process. Nonprofit 0,-g/(~l Commitment GREAT and Support RESULTS! I-~---~'------' Source: Drumm & Moore 2005 p.60 Table 12: Best practice and current practice KYNP Best practice recommendations Current practice at KYNP Participatory planning process Limited stake ho Ider participation in planning Succession planning Forced and abrupt changes in staff or stagnation of staff in one position Multidisciplinary planning and Mono-disciplinary planning and management team management team Proactive management Reactive management Cyclical maintenance No scheduled maintenance cycle Effective performance appraisals No performance appraisals Planned development Haphazard development Gender balance within management team Gender imbalance within management team 93 Reducing Tourism Impacts Tourism causes multiple impacts on Khao Yai national park. Impacts are environmental, social and economic. Impacts have both negative and positive effects. It is necessary to conduct systematic impact assessment to safeguard the natural heritage values of the park. Some of the impacts are similar as experienced in other areas that receive visitors. Kaae and Toftkaer in their study of Tourism and Doi lnthanon National Park observed many of the same environmental impacts. Environmental Impacts Litter and Waste Litter and waste is generated by the tourists who visit the park. Receptacles are available for the collection of litter. It seems that litter is being placed inside the receptacles provided or is being transported out of the site. It is necessary for garbage containers to be made resistant to animals. It is necessary to verify what occurs to garbage once it leaves the park. It is possible that the garbage is being taken to Pak Chong. It is not certain weather it is being taken to a sanitary land fill or is being recycled. If the land fill is not a sanitary landfill then park authorities should work along with provincial authorities and universities to design and create a sanitary land fill and design and create recycling plant to recycle as much of the garbage as JX)Ssib]e. Within the park the biggest garbage problems were observed at Lam Ta Kong camp site. A nearby troop of monkeys have grown accustomed to feeding from the garbage receptacles (Photo 88). Park therefore needs to collect garbage at that site more frequently and educate visitors on the need to close garbage receptacles. Water consumption and waste water treatment The park is a important head water for many rivers in the area. Waste water from toilets may if not properly designed, pollute rivers and ground water. Design and location of these facilities should be carefully studied. Before septic tanks become full it is necessary to have the equipment and personnel, to extract and transport sewerage to a waste treatment plant designed and constructed for this propose. 94 Air Pollution The extent of air pollution is unkno~ It is necessary to create records to confirm acceptable levels and detect changes in air quality. Vehicles that emit excess smoke are discouraged from entering the park. It is possible that polluted air is entering the park from external sources. There is a major mining operation occurring to the west of the park. Collection of plant and animal species At Haew Narnk and Haew Suwat there is evidence of orchids being removed from their original locations. These practices should be discouraged. Outside the park deer, monkey and Birds could be seen in captivity. These animals are kept fur tourists to view. The law against these practices should be enforced. Visual pollution/aesthetics The design and location of facilities should be carefully considered. Facilities should be sensitive to the culture of Thailand and sensitive to the environment. Some new construction cause visual pollution because they have been built as and after thought and not as part of the master plan. Visitor traffic and crowding Visitor traffic and crowding occurs and reduces one's appreciation as well as causes stress to existing infrastructure. It may be possible to mitigate crowding by developing secondary sites and regulating the very popular sites. Currently a carrying capacity study is being conducted for KYNP. It remains to be seen how crowding will be addressed. Fire Hazard Visitors increase the risk of forest fires. Informing visitors about frre hazards is important. Jt is necessary to maintain the state of readiness of fire fighting equipment and personnel. Construction and habitat alteration The management plan (2007-2017) on page 16 calls for the construction of 1600 check dams (100 dams fur each management rone). This wi11 alleviate water shortage in the dry 95 season but may, if not carefully undertaken, may cause a negative effect on the environment. Wildlife Disturbance Many of the tourists \Vish to get as close as possible to wildlife. Tourists should be advised to maintain a safe distance from animals. Guides are important to ensure that tourist behavior is acceptable. There is chaos at night on the weekends because all vehicles have spotlights. The rules regarding spotlights were not being enforced on day of the group visit. Vegetation Trampling On the trails there is evidence of trampling on the vegetation. It is necessary for some of the trails to be hardened or have raised boardwalks to be constructed. The amount of traffic can be regulated. Pha Diew Dai viewpoint trail and the trail between Haew Suwat and Haew Sai showed the most damage from vegetation trampling (Photo 95, p. 75 and Photo 100, p. 78).0n the trails the roots of the trees have beeo exposed. Socio-cultural impacts of tourism Involvement in Tourism by villagers There is limited participation of local villagers in tourism. If they do participate it is not at a high level position. Most villagers do not posses the skills and capital to participate in the tourism industry at management level. Training and organization of villagers is necessary so that they are able to have a bigger participation in the tourism industry. The villagers also need secure land tenure and access to credit. Villagers sometimes find it necessary to move from the areas they have occupied for a long time. Local communities become exposed to new influences. Tour companies and villagen There is low level of cooperation between tour companies and villagers. Majority of income goes to tour companies. Currently villagers are shut out of the tourism business. Villagers need to get secure land tenure, training and access to credit to help to alleviate their condition. Tour companies should train and hire locals as tour guides. 96 Long-term impacts and changes within the community Villagers have been tempted to sell their land. The road leading to the park (Tanarat Road) is now owned by hotel operators so the tourism industry occurs in a zone where the locals have been removed and excluded. The industry is beginning to enter the villages it is necessary to include villagers in planning and development of tourism in and around Khao Yai Economic effects of tourism at KYNP Tourism has both negative and positive impacts on the economy. Some positive effects include: Government earnings through taxes., some employment opportunities, non urban areas are developed. Some negative effects are: low rate of pay for some kinds of employment, prices become too high for locals and income can become concentrated in a small sector of the community. The entrance fee for foreigners currently stands at 400B, foreign child 200B, and Thai adult 40B, Thai child 20B, and vehicle fee SOB. Entrance fee doubled since the I October 2006. "The revenue from the entrance fee is handed to the National Park Division., RFD in Bangkok. This division provides the annual budget fur all national parks. The 1998 budget was 27 million Baht (US $680,000) 2000 budget was 18 million Bahl (US $453,000) (Adapted from Panusittikorn, P. & Prato, T. 2001) "In addition to the budget, the park administration can apply for as much as 50 % of the revenue to carry out specific development projects in the park." The park also receives revenue from accommodation., fines and donations. Other causes of negative tourisD1 impacts The number of visitors at times surpasses the capacity of park infrastructure. There are many visitors who enter the park without guides. Some of the guides are under trained or irresponsible. The park is currently unable to enforce park rules. There are currently no limits on visitor numbers. There seems to be cases of under-trained or irresponsible guides, lack of education for tourists and no limits on visitor numbers 97 Strategies and tadics for managing high levels of use (Source JUCN, 2002, pp. 88, 89) • Reduce use of Problem Areas o Inform about alternative areas o Discourage or prohibit use of problem areas o Make access harder/easier to areas o Eliminate facilities in problem areas and improve facilities in alternative areas • Modify Timing of use o Encourage use outside of peak periods o Discourage use when impact potential is high • Modify Type of use and visitor behavior o Discourage/ban damaging practices and equipment o Teach wilderness ethics • Increase resistance of the resom o Shield the site from impact by introducing proper waste and garbage disposal systems o Strengthen the site by providing boardwalks and hardened surfaces to walk.on Currently the tour operators providing services from Bangkok and the hotel operators that have established their businesses at the entrance to the park are benefiting the most from the park's tourism revenues. The villagers who are in the vicinity of the park receive little benefit from the tourism industry. Community benefit is an important aspect of sustainable tourism a lot has to be done to ensure villagers receive benefits form the tourism industry. Interpretation Observations: 1be interpretation signs on the trails visited are in poor condition. However some of the signs that are in the photographs have now been removed. Many of the maps are not comprehensive; they mostly contain information about attractions on the main access route through the park and no information on the other areas. The park 98 website has very little information on biodiversity; users are unable to upload their content. There is need for interactive multimedia displays at the park's visitor centers. Causes: The main reason the interpretation is poor is due to fmancial shortfalls and a lack of in-house knowledge of interpretation and website design. Recommendations: Park should ensure that there are quality and comprehensive maps available for visitors. Create interactive multimedia displays for visitor centers. Train park personnel in English language, interpretation and information technology. The visitor should be given the option of a guided tour if they so desire. A suggestion/complaints box should be placed at visitor centers to give a voice to visitors. Maps, books and brochures should be available and of high quality. Visitor Facilities Observations: The master plan is outdated (the most recent was for the period on 1987- 91). There is no certainty as to the amount of funds the park will receive each year. There is currently a huge conflict over infrastructure and a low level of trust in any construction project. There is evidence of haphazard development and the creation of areas as an after thought. For example the parking lot at Haew Narok has an L shape. Most likely one portion was buih and as the need arose for more parking there was a need to increase the amount of parking space therefore a way had to be found to accommodate the vehicles. There are areas like Km33 viewpoint and Pha Diew Dai viewpoint where the parking is on one side of the road and the attraction is on the other side. It is therefore necessary for visitors to cross the road thereby increasing the potential for accidents. Cause: The scale at which zoning plans were prepared were not detailed enough to control development of areas that are not along the main highway through the park. In the past construction projects apparently were not done in the best interest of the par~ there was little consuhation, transparency and accountability on projects. The environment is such that all construction projects are viewed with great suspicion. R~ommendations: There is need for the systematic clearing of the maintenance backlog that has been created over the years. It is oocessary to create a park construction priority list. Create quality master plans and follow the plans. Create plans at an appropriate scale 99 (Possible 1 :500) for all attractions. Create plans and master plans for the future development. Consult with stakeholders to achieve agreement before proceeding with projects. Open dialog with vendors, nearby land owners and others with a view to improving the condition of vendor sta11s immediately outside the park. Plan carefully and for the long term. Designs should be accessible and comfortable for elderly and children. Fund raising There are several sources of funding for protected areas: Entrance fees, concessions, licenses, donations, foundations, administrating agency and others. Table 13: Potential sources income Government funding programs Park entrance fees Recreation service fee., special event and special events services Accommodation Equipment rental Food sales Merchandise sale Donations and foreign aid Licensing and intellectual property Sale or rental of image rights Parking Transportation Cross product marketing Public investments Private sector initiatives Source: Eagles et.al 2002 100 PRIORITIZATION OF MANAGEMENT STEPS Urgent steps to be taken • Review latest management plan 2007 - 2017 with a view to achieving a workable management plan. Determine whether the management plan is practical and how it will be used or what steps can be taken to reach the point where there is a much higher degree of agreement amongst stakeholders on the content and the actions proposed in the management plan. • Place priority on Park Protection, Wildlife Monitoring and Community Outreach • Park Financing o Investigate possible national, international and private funding sources o Encourage non-monetary contributions o Park should receive a portion of tax revenue charged to hotels to assist in maintaining and developing park. o Compile information on possible funding sources for upgrade projects. o Begin clearing maintenance backlog. Up lift infrastructure and begin trail maintenance o Update Master Plan o Regularly assess tourism carrying capacity and regulate visitor numbers where necessary o Establish framework for effective communications amongst stakeholders o Prioritize projects o Park must be responsible for management and disposal of garbage and sewage. [tis not enough just to get garbage and sewage out of the park but the park should ensure that it is properly disposed using the best possible procedures and technology. Steps to be taken in the medium term • Staff training in park protection, foreign languages, radio broadcasting, interpretation and information technology 101 • Develop procedures aimed at detecting, reporting and dealing with park problems • Convene semmars, conferences and workshops to raise community awareness and strengthen links between stakeholders • Establish stronger links with universities. University students need research topics and KYNP needs research to be done. o Kasetsart University o Mahido1 University o Silpakom University • Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism o Chulalongkom University • Faculty of Labor Ecooomics and Human Resource Management • MSc. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics o Asian Institute of Technology • School of Environment, Resources and Development o Assumption University • ABAC Graduate School of Tourism Management o Bangkok University o Srinakharin Wirot University o Chiang Mai University • Some of the following books should be readily available for consultation or purchase at KYNP and RFD o "Plants of Khan Yai National Park" Author: Smitinand, Editor: Tern o "Plants of Khao Yai National Park" Author: Christian Puff, Bangkok 2006 o "Mammals of Khao Yai National Park" Authors: Sompoad Srikosamatara & Troy Hansel 3rd edition 2004 Contents: Getting 102 started, Khao Yai National Park, Climate and topography, Vegetation, Wildlife of Khao Yai National Park, Seeing Mammals at Khao Yai National Park, Khao Yai Park Trail Guide, Trail descriptions, Common mammals, How to use the Check List of Mammals of Khao Yai National Park, Check List of Mammals of Khao Yai National Park. o "Birds of Khao Yai National Park Check-list" Conservation Data Center Mahidol University o "The Gibbons of Khao Yai" Authors: Bartlett, Thad o "Khao Yai Master Plan 1987-1991" National Park Thailand, 1986. This document contains general soi] map, water shed map, and land use map. Written in the Thai language. Maps are in English and Thai. o "Management Plan Khao Yai- Thap Lan- Pangsida - Ta Phraya National Parks" Forestry Research Center, Faculty of Forestry Kasetsart University, August 1997, Page 9- 12 Location and size, Physicai Biological, Socio-economics Characteristics, Park Administration. Written in the English language. o "Management Plan for the Dong Phayayen - Khao Yai Forest Complex" Department of National Parks and Kasetsart University, January 2004 o "Khao Yai Dong Phaya Yen Forest Range" ISBN 974-8252-70-1, First Edition, 2000, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Translated by: Malithat Promthatavedi and Pairote Gesmankit, Amarin Printing and Publishing Public Company Limited. o The world heritage nomination document has a section which highlights: Main features and summary of natural values. This section contains information on species found in Khao Yai, Tap Lan, Pang Sida and Ta Phraya. At the time the nomination 103 document was written, complete data was not yet available for Dong Yai. "'Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex - IUCN World Heritage evaluation report May 2005" Written in the English language. o "Significance of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex: Thailand World Heritage" 16 pages, Produced by: National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, 2006. Written in both English and Thai. o "Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex; Thailand World Heritage" 112 pages, Produced by: National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, 2006. This book is made mostly of color photos of plants, mammals, birds and insects. Written in both English and Thai. • Improve website with maps and more information on biodiversity with links and updated information about stakeholders. Interactive website could be designed to enable communication and interaction between all stakeholders. • Work to promote zoning laws which could reduce the negative effects of: mining, high density construction. aloewood factories, undesirable agriculture (pig farms) near park. • Construct park facilities based on wel1 designed plans. • Design and use of alternative energy sources in Park • Improve management and disposal of Garbage and sewage Steps to be taken over the long term • Foreign language training English, Mandarin, Spanish .. _ / • Hire necessary staff after an assessment is made of existing staff and future staff needs. • Design and management of transportation system using hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles utilize a combination of fuels thereby reducing dependency 104 on fossil fuels. There is growmg need to encourage the use of public transportation as a more economic and environmentally sustainable means of transport. • Increase (finance, human resource and management) capacity of locals to manage areas of park. • Creation of seed bank. Many plants are becoming extinct. The park is home to some rare plants. A seed bank would be a collection of seeds stored under favorable conditions for future use. • Produce television documentaries concerning park animals. CHAPTER7 CONCLUSIONS Conclusions K.hao Yai National Park was established some 45 years ago as a wilderness are~ when the population of the country was fewer and with less poverty. At the time of establishment, conservation was relatively high on the national agenda. With the passage of time there has been an increase in residential development, industrial development and mining in the area along with increase in poverty and growth of the tourism industry. There has been a shift in national and international priorities from conservation to poverty alleviation. Currently there are new laws being considered and debated which seek to increase local management of protected areas. The community forest act and Local Agenda 21 seem to point strongly in that direction. The ramifications of these changes are unknown. However it appears that these laws wi11 affect management at Khao Yai National Park. as is elsewhere, there currently appears to be a lack of capacity on the part of locals to manage Protected Areas. If sufficient capacity (finance, human resource. equipment and administrative systems) are not built up before responsibility is transferred it would lead to midesired consequences. The amowits of tourists visiting KYNP is on the rise. Developments in tourism around the world have the potential to affect tourism in Thailand and hence KYNP, as it currently stands the majority of park visitors are locals, so events like the October 2006 flooding have a negative effect on the amount of visitors to the park. The park is not autonomous and therefore charges what other parks in the coW1try charges. It is believed that if KYNP is perceived as receiving special treatment then there would be envy feh by managers and staff of other national parks. The presence of tourists brings in revenue but there is need for management to work hard to mitigate the threats caused by tourism. 105 106 Many of the challenges facing the park stems from scarcity of financial resources or Jack of optimum use of allocated funds. In general terms it is necessary for park management to: • Diversify funding portfolio • Plan carefully, review Management Plan 2007 -2017, modify or produce a new plan if that is deemed necessary by stakeholders. • Implement human resource best practice guidelines through: Succession planning, recruitment, effective performance appraisals and equip, train and motivate park personnel. • Esiablish procedures for detecting, reporting and dealing with park problems. • Utilize internet to educate, prot00te park, recruit stafC communicate with stakeholders, communicate with staff • Improve working relationship with stakeholders • Conduct periodic inventory assessments on: Staff, Equipment (Vehicles., computers, OPS, etc.), Jrrfrastructure (Administrative facilities, staff accommodations, visitor facilities, etc.) • Recognize threats emanating from areas outside of park jurisdiction and work with relevant agencies to address these threats Assessment of park infrastructure showed that the park has some stru.ctural1y sound and functional visitor facilities but also revealed many problems related to lack of long term planning. history of contestation over infrastructure and a huge maintenance backlog. With relation to visitor facilities it is necessary to: • Prepare adequate. long term plans for management areas • Build the trust with consultation, transparency and quality projects • Clear the maintenance backlog and establish maintenance cycle Caution and prudence should be exercised when implementing recommendations given the current low level of trust between stakeholders and negative experiences form the past. 107 There are many unknown aspects of the park. There is a need for management to invest heavily in research to answer these unknowns. A comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the park needs to be undertaken by a well chosen and well financed team and results of which would provide the management team with information necessary to make informed decisions regarding Khao Yai National Park. Lessons learnt from the study Greed has craftily embedded within poverty, making it very difficult to target greedy individuals without hurting poor people first. The laws are not targeted toward the masterminds of many of these operations. It was confirmed that one of the biggest problems facing protected areas is the availability of finance. It is therefore necessary for the park to find mechanisms to strengthen its finances and to put current finance to good use. Many of the areas that cause negative consequences to the park are outside the park's jurisdiction; Park has to work to develop productive relationships with other organizations, with a view to reducing park problems. Problems encountered during study The study was conducted with limited time and limited resources while many important documents are in the Thai language. 1be park is very large and it was not possible, given the limited time and resources, to visit all the locations. The amounts of stakeholders are very many, and it was not possible to interview and co11ect up-to-date information from all stakeholders. Information about the park has not been collectively centralized. Suggestions for further study Study to find ways of improving park finance. Studies to find way's of making and enforcing laws that target greed while sparing the poor. Comparative study between KYNP and Erawan National Park. Human resource study of the park Job descriptions Salary scale 108 Training needs Study irrto reducing gender inequality at Management level at K YNP Conduct Biodiversity studies. Conduct inventory and assessment of Park Equipment. inventory and assessment of management facilities (administrative offices and employee housing) Waste Management and contaminant study Infrastructure study Existing infrastructure and plans Land use studies Maps of existing infrastructure Design of land use zoning at an appropriate scale Management Study Design of effective procedures Update T.A.T 1993 tourism study of park "Khao Yai Dong Phaya Yen Forest Range" Update TDRI 1995 economic study of park "Green Finance: A case study ofK.hao Yai" There are many complicated challenges facing KYNP and there is room for improvement. Management needs to be alert. creative and dedicated. The problems observed on the surface have root causes, therefore it is necessary for management to address root causes (lack of finance, lack of human resources, lack of equipment, outdated plans and absence of set procedures) to set the park on a sustainable course so that it will be passed on and appreciated by future generations. 109 Bib6ograpby Achakulwisut A. 2006, "A wing and a prayer" Bangkok Post, Outlook, 26 October, pp. outlook 01, outlook 08 Agenda2 l ,[Online]Available: http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21 lnatlinfo/countr/thaVnatur.htm [2007, Jan. 8] AOT (Airport Authority of Thailand), 2006, "Suvamabhumi airport", a special publication ofthe Bangkok Post, Today, 28 September. Assavanonda A. 2006, "Don Muang airport calls it a day" Bangkok Post,28 September, p. Section 1 1 Behrens D. Photos (online] available: http://www.pbase.com/dbehrens/khao_yai [2007, Feb. 5] Cites 2007a, Cites What [Online] Available: http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/what.sbtrnl [2007, Jan.7] Cites 2007b, Cites How [Online] Available: http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/how.shtml [2007, Jan. 7] Conservation 'must be park focus' 2005 [Online], Available: http://www.thailandtraveltours.com/news/8-khao-yai-national- park khaoyainationalpark-khan-yai.htm [2006, November 29] Cummings et al. August 2003,"Lonely Planet Thailand" Northeastern Thailand K.hao Yai National Park, Lonely Planet Publications, Melbourne, Oakland, London, Paris, pp. 495- 497. Department of National Parks January 2004 "Maoagement Plan for Dong Phayayen - Khao Yai Forest Complex pp. 16, 19-3 I. Department ofNational Parks, [Online] Available: http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/pictures/npex/NP9S 1T 1P3N3E.JPG 110 Drumm & Moore 2005, "Volume I An Introduction to Ecotourism Planning" The Nature Conservancy. 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WildAid 2004b, "Women and Biodiversity in Asia" End of project report April 2003 ~ March2004 WildAid 2004c, "Women and Biodiversity in Asia" Interim Report, USFWS Grant 98210-4-G874 June - November 2004 Wipatayotin A. 2006, "Biodiversity index top priority, says Petpong" , Bangkok Post, Home, 5 October, p. section I 2 115 APPENDIX Excerpts from Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultunl and Natural Heritage Article 5 To enswe that effective and active measures are taken for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage situated on its territory, each State Party to this Convention shall endeavor, in so fur as possible, and as appropriate for each country: a. to adopt a general policy which aims to give the cultural and natural heritage a function in the life of the community and to integrate the protection of that heritage into comprehensive planning programmes; b. to set up within its territories, where such services do not exist, one or more services for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cuhural and natural heritage with an appropriate staff and possessing the means to discharge their functions; c. to develop scientific and technical studies and research and to work out such operating methods as will make the State capable of counteracting the dangers that threaten its cultural or natural heritage; d. to take the appropriate legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures necessary for the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabi1itation of this heritage; and e. to foster the establishment or development of national or regional centres for training in the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage and to encourage scientific research in this field. Article 11 1. Every State Party to this Convention shalL in so far as possible, submit to the World Heritage Committee an inventory of property forming part of the cultural and natural heritage, situated in its territory and suitable for inclusion in the list provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article. This inventory, which sha11 not be considered exhaustive, shall include documentation about the location of the property in question and its significance. 2. On the basis of the inventories submitted by States in accordance with paragraph 1, the Committee shall establish, keep up to date and publish, under the title of 'World Heritage List," a list of properties forming part of the cultural heritage and natural heritage, as defmed in Articles 1 and 2 of this Convention, which it considers as having outstanding universal value in terms of such criteria as it shall have established. An updated list shall be distributed at least every two years. 3. The inclusion of a property in the World Heritage List requires the consent of the State concerned. The inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or 116 jurisdiction over which is claimed by more than one State shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute. 4. The Committee shall establish, keep up to date and publish, whenever circumstances shall so require, under the title of "List of World Heritage in Danger", a list of the property appearing in the World Heritage List for the conservation of which major operations are necessary and for which assistance has been requested under this Convention. This list sha11 contain an estimate of the cost of such operations. The list may include only such property forming part of the cultural and natural heritage as is threatened by serious and specific dangers, such as the threat of disappearance caused by accelerated deterioration, large- scale public or private projects or rapid urban or tomist development projects; destruction caused by changes in the use or ownership of the land; major aherations due to unknown causes; abandonment for any reason whatsoever; the outbreak or the threat of an armed conflict; calamities and cataclysms; serious fires, earthquakes, landslides; volcanic eruptions; changes in water level, floods and tidal waves. The Committee may at any time, in case of urgent need, make a new entry in the List of World Heritage in Danger and publicize such entry immediately. 5. The Committee shall define the criteria on the basis of which a property belonging to the cultural or natural heritage may be included in either of the lists mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 4 ofthis article. 6. Before refusing a request for inclusion in one of the two lists mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 4 of this article, the Committee shall consult the State Party in whose territory the cultural or natural property in question is situated. 7. The Committee shall, with the agreement of the States concerned, co-ordinate and encourage the studies and research needed for the drawing up of the lists referred to in paragraphs 2 and 4 of this article. http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfin?CID~ l 82#Article 11.4 Date Visited: Thursday, february 15, 2007 117 KYNP Tourists Attractions Chao Por Khor Yai Shrine Chao Por Khao Y ai Shrine, built in I 962, is located on Thanarat Road Km. 24 fl-om Pale Chong District. Traveler, who passes this way before entering the park, regularly stops by to worship and ask for one's wish there. Activities - Cultural Sight Seeing Sarika Waterfall Sarika Waterfalls, situated in Nakhon Nayok Province, is a huge waterfall that was very famous before the area was declared a national park. Activities - Nature trail study - Waterfall viewing Kong Kaew Waterfall Kong Kaew Waterfall is a quite low waterfall, caused by Huy Lam Talcong (Lam Ta kong Stream), the border between Nakhon Nayok Province and Nakhon Si Thamarat Province, which is beautiful and suitable for swimming especially in rainy season. The waterfall is situated I 00 meters from Khao Yai National Park Office and Travel Service Center. Activities - Waterfall Viewing - Natme Trail Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall The waterfull is a medium-size waterfall, also caused by Huy Lam Ta Kong (Lam Ta Kong Stream), which has Wai Dang (Red Orchid) growing on its cliff. The orchid is a symbol of this area 1be waterfall is situated seven kilometers from Khao Yai National Park Office and can be reached by car and walking. Activities - Waterfa.11 viewing - Camping Heaw Suwat Waterfall One of the most popular waterfalls in the park is Haew Suwat. it is situated at the end of Thanarat Road and three kilometers from Pha Kluy Mai Waterfal~ walking. Water drops from a 20-meter high cliff Onto a pond below which is appropriate for swimming but not during the rainy season because the water is very much cold and the current is strong. Activities - Nature trail - swimming Heaw Naruk Waterfall Heaw Narok Waterfall, the biggest and highest waterfall in this area, is situated in the southern part ofKhao Yai National Park. The waterfall is a three-level cascade, water drops step by step from 60-meter high of first level to the second and third level with about 90 degrees, approximately 150 meters, to its very deep abyss which is a very spectacular sight during the rainy season. Activities - Waterfa11 viewing 118 Mai Plong Waterfall Mai Plong Waterfall has been known for a long time, and has been improved to attract visitors. Jt is a five-leve] cascade, like Heaw Suwat Waterfall and Heaw Narok Waterfall, with its highest level is not more than 12 meters. Traveling to this place, the traveler can find beautiful sceneries of rock and stream along the trail 24 kilometers from Wang Ta Krai. For more information and guidance, please contact officer ofKhao Yai National Park Office 9 (Nang Rong). Activities - Trekking- Waterfall viewing Wang Heaw Waterfall Wang Heaw Waterfall, a huge waterfhll about 40-60 meters wide, in the middle of the eastern forest ofKhao Yai National Park, is situated about 17 kilometers from Khao Yai National Park Office 6 (Sai Yai) and has a higher volume of water during the rainy season. The area is suitable for adventuring and camping because the traveler has to spend about two days walking to get there. Along the trek, traveler can see many kinds of plants, naturally beautiful rock and diverse scenery. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the park. Activities - flora -Trekking - Waterfall viewing Takro, Salad Dai, Sompoi Waterfall They are beautiful waterful]s, near ranger station 7 (Prachanta Kham), which are suitable for swimming. Every day, there are many local travelers coming to enjoy and swim, but also foreign travelers especially on weekends. Activities - Nature trail study - Waterfall viewing and swimming Krang Kritsana, Reaw Jukjun Waterfall They are a group ofwaterfu11s of varying sizes, of not is Heaw E-urn Waterfall. The area is suitable fur camping and enjoying diverse scenery. Activities - View - Trekking- Waterfalls Pha Sai Khul, Pha Krachai, Pha Dang Chang,. Pha Ma Nao Pee Waterfall The medium-size waterfalls, in Khao Lam Mountain in the northern part of Khao Y ai national park, are caused by Krokde Stream dropping from 15 meters and flowing onto a rock surface. The waterfulls are uniquely beautiful. There are suitable for camping lover. Activities - Camping - Nature trail study - Waterfull viewing 119 Heaw Sai WaterfaU Heaw Sai Waterfall is a waterfall about 700 meters south ofHeaw Suwat Waterfall. There is a 5-meter-high cliff spreading over the stream which, in the rains, has heavy water flowing on the rock surface. Traveler can walk about 700 meters from Heaw Suwat Waterfal] or about 8.3 kilometers, on a pathway Kong Kaew--Heaw Suwat, from Khao Yai National Park Office. There are many interesting things along the pathway, for example viewing herbs and wild mushroom. Activities - flora - Nature trail study - Waterfall viewing Heaw Pratum Waterfall Heaw Pratum Waterfall is a waterfall of Lam Ta Kong Stream, it is located two kilometers from Heaw Sai WaterfuH. Traveler can walk from Heaw Suwat Waterfall or about 8 kilometers, on a pathway Kong Kaew-Heaw Suwat, from Khao Yai National Park Office. The waterfall consists of beautiful cliff which is large and high. Activities - Trekking - Waterfall viewing Tat Manow Waterfall Manow Waterfall is a small and beautiful waterfall on the southwest part. Traveler can set off walking from the back yard ofKhao Yai TAT Food Building through the rain forest, which has many kinds of plant and herbs that are interesting to study. The length of the trail is about 5-6 kilometers. Activities - flora - Waterfall viewing Tat Ta Phu Waterfall Tard Ta phu Waterfall, in the southwest part ofKhao Y ai National Park, is caused by Huy Raya (Raya Stream) flowing step by step on rock surface sloping down about I 00 meters long. The area is suitable for camping lover. And about IO kilometers away, there are grassy fields ahernating with forest which is the habitat for many kinds of animai for example, barking deer, deer, wild elephant, seladang and many different kinds of birds. Activities -Trek.king- Waterfall Traveling - Animal Watching Tat Ta Kong Waterfall Tat Ta Kong Waterfull is a very beautiful waterfall near to Tat Ta Phu Waterfall about four kilometers away. The traveler can set off from behind the Khao Yai TAT Food Building and walk the trail for about 15 kilometers, or start from Khao Yai-Prachin Buri Road Km. 5.5 and walk the trail for about six kilometers to the waterfall Activities - Trekking - Waterfall viewing 120 Pha Tabak Waterfall Group Pha Tabak Waterfall Group is a group of large waterfalls coursed by Huy Num Sub (Num Sub Stream) water drops step by step about five levels. The pathway, provided by Khao Yai National Park, to enter the area is at Km. 6.5-7, Khao Yai-Prachin Buri Road. Traveling on the pathway 500 meters, traveler can find the first waterfall called Pha Krajai Waterfali and go further for Pha Hin Kwang Waterfall, Pha Raksai Waterfall, Pha Chompu Waterfall and Pha Tabak Waterfall, the total distance is approximately three kilometers. Activities - Waterfall viewing - Nature trail study Km. 30 View Point At Km. 30, Thanarat Road, the traveler can enjoy the scenery in the north part of Khao Yai National Park which is very broad and beautiful Activities - View surrounding landscape Khao Khaew View Point Khao K.haew View Point (Pha Trom Jai), is a place fur enjoying scenery and is very popular amongst travelers. Travelers a this location can see Rom Mountain and beautiful scenery at dawn, in Prachin Buri Province, which has the beautifully red sunrise on the ridge of Rom Mountain. Activities - View - Bird Watching Animal Observation Tower The Observation Tower is a place for travelers to hide themselves while observing the animals. There are two towers enable viewing activity from 06.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. they are as follows: Nong Pak Chi Tower Locating near Nong Pak Chi pond which is the source of water for many kinds of animal, and walking about one kilometer from Km. 35-36 Thanarat Road, Nong Pak Chi Tower has view of a grass field and salt lick for animal. Mo Sing To Tower Locating near Mo Sing To pond which is the source of water for many kinds of animal, opposite the reservoir up the hill from the headquarters. Activities - Animal Watching - View surrounding landscape Natural Trail This trail, leading to Kong Kaeo Waterfall, includes interpretative information for those wishing to nnderstand more about the forest they are visiting. Activities - Nature trail study l21 Birding Trail Khao Yai is one of the best birding places. These all leave from around the park headquarters. Bird watching can also be done on the sides of the road and around the old golf course. Activities - Bird Watching Nang Rong Waterfall Nang Rong Waterfalls, situated in Nakhon Nayok Province, is a huge waterfull which was very famous before the area was declared a national park. Activities - Nature trail study - Waterfall Traveling Tran Tip Waterfall They are beautiful waterfulls, near ranger station IO (Pracbanta Kham), which are suitable for swimming. Activities - Nature trail study - Waterfall watching and swimming Animal watching In the park a number of animals can be seen during the day, there are also night safaris some of which are organized by park staff. Activities - Animal observation Kang Hin Perng Kang Hin Perng, five kilometers from Khao Yai Forest Reservation Office 2 (Pha Kradart), the river is suitable fur rafting. Activities - Nature trail study - Rafting Trekking Trail These trails involve one to three days trekking and camping around Khao Yai. For more infurmation, refer to 'Khao Yai National Park Trekking Trails and Adventure activities in and around Khao Yai' guidebook. [guidebook seems not to be available or out of print]. Activities - Trekking Adapted from Source: http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreservel"l!Pistylel/attraction.asp Visited: Monday, February 26, 2007 122 14 July 2002 FORESTRY Construction ·upsetting park ecology' 300-seat conference centre in Khao Yai Kultida Samabuddhi Building activity in Khao Yai national park is hurting its ecology, the park's chief says • .. No more buildings should be put up in the park,'' said Chumpol Sukkasem, who steps down this month. Forestry chief Plodprasop Suraswadi is transferring Mr Chum pol to the department's Office of the Secretary, though he denies it is because he is outspoken_ The department last month put up another restaurant in the 1.3 millioIwai park. Sandalwood collectors and influential people who owned resorts in Prachin Buri were also bad for the park, Mr Chumpol said. Mr Plodprasop said Mr Chumpol's transfer had nothing to do with his opposition to construction in the park. Mr Chum pct was being moved because he had completed his four-year tenn. Prawat Wohamdee, chief of Srlnakharin national park, would be made Khao Yai national park's new chief. Mr Plodprasop said the department would set up an International Ranger Training Centre at the park to show rangers and forestry officials from neighbouring countries how to tackle encroachers. The department would sign a contract with the US-based environmental NGO Wild Aid, which is pushing the project, in September. Yinqcheep Kerdthonqlek, of the Foundation for Khao Yai National Park Protection, said he was also worried about the number of buildings going up. In recent months the department had put up a 300-seat conference centre known as the Suraswadi Building, a training centre and lodging houses. © Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2002 http://www.ecologyasia.com/news-archives/2002/jul-02/bangkokpost 020714 2.htm 29/11/06 123 VIiiage wins UN community award Published on Oct 20, 2002 A B11.3-million cash award from the UN Development Programme will go into a village fund to support sustainable economic schemes for villagers, said the headman of Sub Tai village. The village won the Equator Initiatives Award 2002 on Thursday for its outstanding efforts in eradicating poverty while preserving biodiversity among community members. It is one of the 27 communities around the world to win the award. Located in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district, south of Khao Yai National Park, Sub Tai village was once regarded as one of Thailand's poorest villages. Its 500 villagers were much poorer than those elsewhere in the country, with many of them, deep in debt. Because of low crop prices, they had to take up logging, hunting and gathering forest products for additional income. But in 1985 the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) placed the village under its scheme and succeeded in helping it to witch to alternative farming methods such as dairy. The move brought the villagers out of their debt trap and also freed them from having to encroach on the forest for extra income. Through the PDA's Rural Development for Conservation Project, which was initiated to find ways of conserving the park's natural resources while promoting new and improved means of livelihood, a Bt800,000 village fund was set up. It allowed the villagers to participate in the planning, implementation and management of the fund themselves. The money was disbursed as loans to generate income from ecological activities. Apart from raising daily cows, activities included eco-tourism, organic fanning and mushroom production. Prasart Srisomchua, 54, the village headman, said the fund was insufficient, however, to serve the entire community because some industries such as dairy farming required high investment "The (UNDP] money we receive will be placed in the village fund. It will allow villagers to take out low-interest loans to buy cows and run businesses that are not harmful to the environment," he said. The villagers will pay only 1 per cent interest on these loans. Before the PDA arrived, the villagers largely depended on money-lenders who charged exorbitant rates, said Prasart. These loans had to be repaid at harvest time. About 15 barrels of corn had to be paid for every Bt100 the villagers borrowed, he recalled. One barrel weighed 10kg and 1 kg of corn was worth Bt10. Pennapa Hongthong THE NATION http://www.natiomnultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid~3&id~67727&date~20 02-10-20 6Dec. 2006 124 VIiiagers to co-manage forest site Published on Jan 20, 2003 The mountain area of Khao Phaeng Maa will be the first in Thailand to be declared a co management forest, jointly controlled by local communities and the National Parks and Wildlife Department, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Praphat Panyachartiraksa on Saturday. Praphat said during a trip to the site in Nakhon Ratchasima on Saturday that 5,000-rai of land around Khao Phaeng Maa would be the site of a pilot project in co-management of forests. nForestry officials have the law as a tool to protect this place while the villagers are doser to the forest itself. I believe that when the people and the government join together we can better protect forests and wildlife species," he said. However, he said the before officlally declaring the mountain as a co-management area, time should be taken for the villagers and forestry officials to learn each other's methods. He added that after appropriate procedures were laid down, funds would be allocated for the project. Prapat said he had assigned the deputy director-general of the National Parks Department to study the details of the project The co-management scheme was initiated by villagers and the Wildlife Fund of Thailand (WFT), which helped replant 5,000 rai of land at Khao Phaeng Maa that had been ravaged by commercial and illegal logging. Begun in 1993, the planting project has been very successful in restoring the original environment of the mountain. As well as native flora, a large herd of gaur has returned to the area. Each year thousands of tourists and students visit Khao Phaeng Maa to see the large, ox-like animal. "We [the WFT and villagers] have not only revived the gaur's habitat we are also protecting the animal from poachers,~ said Surapol Duangkhae, WFT secretary-general. By law, after private parties replant any devastated forest area it must be declared part of a nearby national park. The forestry deoartment lnltlally planned to desianate Khao Phaneg Maa part of Khao Yai National Park, but flle Idea was ODDOsed by the villagers. ''We are proud of what we have achieved. We put the forest back in its original state, and the gaur have returned. We are afraid that if the area was annexed by Khao Yai National Park we would be excluded from the management of the forest that we worked so hard to revive," said Danai Praneetpolkang, Wang Nam Khiaw community leader. Pennapa Hongthong THE NATION http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid-3&1d-72641&usrsess 5 December 2006 125 Thailand: Tourism threat to wild places Senators, activists wary of development Wasant Techawongtham Ranjana Wangvipula Bangkok Post, 4 August 2003 The government's "asset capitalisation" policy to promote tourism in protected forests may prove a commercial success but wou1d lead to destruction of natural resources, senators and environmentalists warned yesterday. It was tantamount to "selling our resources, especially national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, for tourism purposes.," said Pruiat Tasneeyanond, senator from Tak province and chairman of the senate environment committee. "I'm worried about the impact on the natural environment. Tourism would lead to over use and deterioration of the forests. There would be construction. They would a11 become holiday resorts." Mr Panat's remarks come as the government is speeding up implementation of its policy to convert asrets into capitai a scheme that allows people to use land, inventions and other rights as collateral for loans. A pilot phase includes registering vendors at several national parks so they could use their vending rights to seek loans from state banks. V anchai Tantiwittayapitak, a director of the environmental group Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, said the pilot project was only a first step toward full exploitation of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries for tomism. He pointed to the recent construction of lodgings at Khao Nang Ram. a pristine spot in Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, as an apparent attempt to introduce tourism into the conservation forest, which is a World Heritage site. 1be money came from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mr Vanchai said at a seminar organised by the Thai Society of Environmental Journalists. The buildings were purportedly to accommodate researchers and forestry staff but were in fact meant for VIP guests, he said. The National Par~ Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department was under pressure from the government to generate income. 126 11I1m looking for an assurance that valuable resources will not be destroyed/ said Nikom Putta, an activist for the Ping Watershed Management Project. He was speaking at the same seminar at Mae Fang National Park in Chiang Mai's Fang district, which is expected to attract more tourists once hot spring facilities are completely installed. Part of the 524-square-kilometre park now has hillside resorts, outdoor hot spring baths, sauna and massage rooms. Many local villagers have been trained in the art of traditional massage to serve visitors. While park officials and villagers saw the development as a chance to earn income for the Locals and the country, environmentalists pointed to the impact of past tourism development on the country's natural resources. Mr Nikom said forestry officials were destroying Khao Yai National Park with over construction of roads and buildings, and would also destroy the scenic Chiang Dao mountain in Chiang Mai by building a cable car to the top. However, Vichit Phattanagosai, deputy director of the national park department, said there was nothing to worry about. "We've zoned protected forests, dividing them into five segments such as strict preservation and service areas." Only the service area was open to tourists so any adverse impact on the environment would be minimal, he said, but admitted it was difficult to limit the number of visitors. "Here it is like a temple fair during holidays,1' said Mae Fang National Park chief Chongklai Voraphongston. "The areas are filled with rubbish in the peak tourist season and people struggle to go to toilets." http://www.mekonginfo.org/mrc_en/announce.nsf70/85BD4264A9BFC27747256D86000 92AB5/$F1LE/community_forestry_ e.html Accessed 29/11 /06 127 Ease forest regulations, says Amom Published on Jan 11, 2004 National park regulations should be amended to make it easier for CEO governors to develop parks for tourism, according to former Trat governor Amom Anantachai. Amorn, who supports the government's CEO policy, said the principle of forest management embodied in the 1961 National Park Act conflicts with present development strategies focusing on making use of forest resources. ~The law was issued decades ago when the country did not depend on tourism. We should ease the out-of-date regulations to bring a better life to our people,· Amorn told a recent seminar organised by the Thai Society of Environmental Journalists. Under the current law, which aims to conserve forest areas, all development is banned within national parks. Tourism is allowed within national parks but only if it is small--scale and friendly to the environment. Amorn said he wanted CEO governors to have full authority to develop national parks. 'Tm pretty sure that in hands of a CEO tourism would not da11age national parks, because a CEO has more power and responsibility than a nonnal governor," he said. Many CEO governors have recently come up with proposals to develop national parks in their provinces for tourism. The Loei governor proposed a cable-car project for Phu Kradueng National Park, while governors offour provinces plan to develop Khao Yai National Park with hotel and spa facllltles. But Surapol Duangkhae, director of Wildlife Fund Thailand, said he opposed Amom's initiative to amend the law. Surapol said he agreed with Amom that the law was out of date, but amendment was needed to tighten it. To Surapol, tourism had been a tragedy for national parks. He cited damage to Phi Phi island as an example. ·1 don't think CEO governors have the skill and knowledge to manage our forest resources. If they want to take part in national park management. show us the way to stop illegal logging first,~ he said. Pennapa Hongthong The Nation http://www.nationmultimediacom/search/page.arcview.php?clid=5&id=91650&date=20 04-01-11 Visited: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 128 NATIONAL PARKS: Development plans set to get green light Published on Dec 18, 2003 Hotels and spas will be built in Khao Yai and other national parks and Phu Kradueng mountain will see a cable-car service, if proposals by provincial governors win final approval from the Cabinet. Parinya Nutalai, the vice minister for natural resources and the environment, said the Cabinet had approved the proposals in principle but had assigned his ministry to draft the criteria and regulations on how the parks could be used for tourism purposes. Parinya said he would chair a committee to draft the criteria in the wake of 13 proposals by provincial governor groups, requesting the use of national pal1<:s for tourism purposes. The Cabinet asked the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to finish the drafting of the regulations within two months. It would then use them in deciding whether to grant final approval for the projects. Among the proposals, the governors of Samul Prakan, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri and Sa Kaew have asked for permission to build hotels and spas in Khao Yai and tourist shelters in Pan Sida and Ta Phraya parks, Parinya said. He said this group of governors had also proposed a "canopy walk" through the tops of trees in a national park in Nakhon Nayok. The governors of Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Loei and Nong Bua Lamphu have asked for permission to build a road to Pha Hin Ngarm Park in Loei and a cable-car to take visitors to the top of Phu Kradueng mountain, also in Loei, he added. Meanwhile, the governors of Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat have proposed the building of a cable-car on Koh Chang island in Trat, while the governors of Surat Thani, Chumphon, and Ranong want to develop five islands, which are also parts of national parks, into tourist destinations, he said. The islands are Koh Tao and Koh Taen in Surat Thani, Koh Samet in Chumphon, and Koh Phayam and Koh Chang in Ranong. Parinya said the National Parks Act required the government to allocate areas of the parks for recreation purposes, and tourism is considered to be a type of recreation. However, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will have to separate those areas that require preservation from those to be used for recreation purposes. "The government may not approve all the proposals. For example, projects considered as having a big environmental impact will not be approved," said Parinya. He said if the public was opposed to the projects, the governors would have to defend their proposals. When asked whether allowing the building of hotels and spas would pose environmental difficulties in Khao Yai, Parinya said that if the project owners were able to implement good waste-management schemes, there should be no problems http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid-J&id-90686&date=20 03-12-18 129 Activists oppose park resorts Published on Dec 19, 2003 Environmental advocates and national park officials yesterday criticised a proposal to promote the development of resorts and spas inside national parks, saying it would derail conservation efforts. "National parks like Phu Kradung and Koh Chang are facing a crisis of overflowing garbage left behind by tourists. Blind development would do pennanent damage to natural landmarks," activist Suraphol Duangkae said. Conservationists mounted strong opposition after the Cabinet agreed on Tuesday to a proposal to turn national parks nationwide into holiday resorts. The proposal was drafted by a group of 19 provincial governors and called for developments like a cable car for Phu Kradung, a resort hotel at Khao Yai and high-end spas at Koh Chang Marine Park. Natural Resources and Environment Vice Minister Prinya Nutalaya was asked to draw up regulations to open up national parks for development. Suraphol said the proposal by the 19 governors was too hasty because it failed to factor in the environmental side-effects. ''The 19 governors want to make money from tourism. They fail to realise that nature has a way of protecting itself by limiting hunan access to its wonders," he said. He warned that the development of natural parks into resorts and spas would lead to long-term, irreversible environmental degradation. Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department director-general Somchai Pienstapom said a careful environmental study was needed if natural parks were to be developed into resorts. "Day tourists are welcome at every national park, but I am not so sure of the benefits of building resorts and spa hotels," he said http://www.nationrnultimediacom/search/page.arcview.php?clid=5&id=9075 l &date=20 03-12-19 130 Listing sought for Khao Yai Published on Feb 23, 2004 Forestry authorities want to thwart a development plan for Khao Val National Park by having the park declared the Kingdom's f"rfth World Heritage site, a senior official said yesterday. Officials from the World Heritage Committee were gathering infonT1ation at Khao Yai, following a report by the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said Somchai Pienstaporn, the agency's director-general. He expects the matter to be discussed at the Third World Conservation Congress, which is to be held in Bangkok in November. The congress is organised by the World Conservation Union. Khao Yai could qualify as a World Heritage site because of its diverse ecological and biological nature, Somchai said. The department would also ask Her Majesty the Queen to give a new name for the Khao Yai national park, he said. Four areas in Thailand with historic or ecological significance have been declared World Heritage sites - Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries, Historic Town of Sukhothai, the Historic City of Ayutthaya, and the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site. Sirinart Sirisunthorn The Nation http://www.nationmultimedia.cornlsearch/page.arcview.php?clid=3&id=94072&usrsess= Visited: Tuesday, December 05, 2006 131 Article found on the Internet about poaching at KYNP Spreading across parts of four provinces Thailand's Khao Yai National Park covers 2,168 square kilometres. Historically the locals called this forest Dong Phaya Fai, or the 'Jungle of the Fire Lord'. Today, ancient fears and superstitions have mostly vanished and the name has changed to Dong Phaya Yen, or 'Jungle of the Ice Lord'. This is in reference to the cool unspoilt wilderness which greets visitors. When It was established in 1962 Khao Val became Thalland's first National Park. Today there are over 100 parks, but the estimated 150 or so tigers in the country are primarily limited to eight areas, with a scattering of cats over perhaps another eight. Wildlife at Khao Yai National Park is abundant and 295 species of mammal, bird, insect and reptile make their homes here. Most of the existing roads and trails were migratory paths followed by elephants. During the dry season the park's 200-300 elephants still follow these as they move between feeding areas or salt licks. Other residents of the park include gaur, Malayan sun bear, Asiatic black bear, serow, gibbons and macaques. Caves hold wrinkle-lipped and Himalayan ribbed bats while Thailand's largest population of hornbills feed on figs from the ficus trees. Perhaps we shouldn't forget the visitors best friends: blood sucking leeches and mosquitos, the first of which are very difficult to kill. The Corbett's tigers are a surprise in that they can appear quite close to park headquarters. In the same vicinity sambar deer can be found quietly feeding in small groups. A sign at the visitor centre warns: "Should you leave your sleeping quarters late at night while tigers are feeding nearby, you will most certainly be injured or killed." Sam bar are hunted by both tigers and leopards, but these are not their primary predator. Man has taken over that role. As a result, sambar are now only common In well protected conservation zones. Elephant are targeted for ivory and in the Khao Yai visitors' centre stands a mounted one month-old baby elephant which starved to death after poachers removed it from its mother. The aloewood tree is poached of its bark, this is used as perfume and incense. Such is its desirability that aloewood presently commands Prices exceeding that of aold, Tigers too are under severe threat from the same source. Experts had long considered that about 500 tigers lived in the National Parks of Thailand, but when conservationists mounted camera traps in the Khao Yai National Park onlv two tigers were caotured on film. Along with these were hundreds of poachers looking for exotic birds, sambar, aaur and the few remaining tigers which are now worth more dead than alive. Most of the poachers were from villages surrounding the park. The final conclusion was that probably less than ten tlaers remain in Khao Yai, a sobering thought considering this was once one of the most important tiger habitats, and they appeared to be reasonably stable here. Two subsequent examinations of other parks have produced the same result: the density of tigers is a great deal less than previously thought. 132 Positive steps are being taken in an effort to control poaching. For the first time, rangers are being provided with guns and trained in their usage. They now learn various anti-poaching techniques and wildlife law. But poachers are well armed and one recent gunfire battle saw both ranger and poacher (who had an AK-47) killed. Another technique is to employ some of the poachers in ranger positions; this gives access to inside information, breaks the family poaching cycle and encourages other villagers to get behind conservation projects. http://www.lairweb.org.nzltiger/khaoyai.html Date Visited: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 133 RESORT HOMES: Khao Yai lures top developers Published on Mar 14, 2005 Khao Yai seems to be all the rage these days. As Bangkok's housing boom takes a breather, some big players are shifting to this hill resort in Nakhon Ratchasima. It all began quite recenUy, when Noble Development's chief executive Kitti Thanakitamnuay announced he was opening a pristine resort called "Kirimaya" by Khao Yai National Park. His endeavour, which covers a more than 1,000-rai estate near the forest reserve, aims to put Khao Yai on the tourist map. The opening of Kirimaya's hotel and spa sUJprised the market. After all, Khao Yai had been one of the worst-hit sites during the crash of 1997. Property prices in that area had collapsed and never fully recovered. In fact, there was little activity there for more than seven years. Kirimaya has changed all that. Kitti made it clear it was Kilimatay Company - his own firm - and not Noble Development that was financing it. Even so, he's taking a back seat. "While I am founder of Kirimaya, I am letting Alila Resort and Hotels, a Singapore-based chain, to run the show. I don't get involved with day-to-day operations/ he said. Kitti sees his mission "as putting Khao Yai on the mapn. He is confident the area, which commands "the highest concentration of ozone emitted in the countryn, thanks to 400,000 kilometres of rainforest under state protection, has much to offer. Coming on the back of Kiiti's hotel is a 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Kiiti is planning villas, each offering between 500 and BOO square metres of built-up space, on plots of one rai or more. ~we are looking at 8125 million per villa, and that would cover everything, from built-in furniture to air-conditioners," he added. Not long after that, Ananda Development chief executive Chanond Ruangkritya announced that he too was embarking on a massive Khao Yai project. Chanond heads the residential firm in Windmill Park on Bang Na-Trat Kilometre 10. His father, Chanat, had recently appointed him as marketing chief for "Toscana Valley·, a 2,000-rai resort with luxury villas, located near Kirimaya. Chanat, who is well known for his KGreen Valley" and many golf projects, has been working on the Khao Yai site for quite some time. The aim is to sell Tuscany-like country homes in the hills, which are less than two hours by car 134 from Bangkok. The homes are primarily for the wealthy classes, with mansions selling for 8130 million. Chanond admits he is excited by the prospects of building a resort at a pristine location. An avid sportsman, he also grasped the potential of making Toscana Valley a training site for top athletes. The altitude and natural surroundings are perfect for people seeking a healthier lifestyle, he said, adding that the master plan for the project will be announced soon. lllhi C Tan The Nation http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid~6&id~113 I 44&dat~2 005-03-14 6 Dec. 2006 135 TACKLING DROUGHT: Projects seen as threat to heritage site Pub.Ill bed DB Aaglllt 06, :!005 Green group intends to warn Unesco that forest complex would be harmed if two dams go ahead as planned The government's package of projects aimed at solving the water shortage in the eastern part of the country could threaten the status of Thailand's newest World Heritage Site, the Dong Phayayeo-Kbao Yai forest complex, an environmental group warned yesterday. Wildlife Fund Thailand (WFT), as a member organisation of the World Heritage Committee, said it would next week ask the committee's Thailand office to take the issue into consideration. Two projects approved by the mobile Cabinet on Tuesday, the Huai Samoeng and Sai Noi-Sai Yai dam projects, would inundate two parts of the heritage site if constructed, WFT deputy secretary-general Harnnarong Yaowalert said yesterday. "About 80 per cent of the Sai Noi-Sai Yai project's reservoir area is in Khao Yai National Park, while a big part ofHuai Samoeng's reservoir area is in Thap Lan-Pang Sida park," he said at seminar held by the Thai Environmental Journalists Association in Bangkok. "ln previous cases in other countries, Unesco wou1d consider revocation of World Heritage status if the host country allowed severe damage like this to occur," he said. Unesco granted World Heritage status to the Dong Phayayen-Kbao Yai forest just last moo~ citing its ecological and biological diversity. The heritage site covers one large forest area including four national parks and a wildlife sanctuary. Khao Yai and Thab Lan-Pang Sida are two of the four parks. The BG-billion Sai Noi-Sai Yai project would store 334 million cubic meters of water if completed, while the Btl .9 billion Huai Samoeng project is designed to hold 295 million cubic metres at full capacity. Both are to be built in Prachin Buri province. "These two projects are in fact fur from the drought area of the east and should not be included in this package. The government should review it urgently," Harnnarong said. Dr Somkiat Prachamwong, senior planning official of the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), which is sponsoring the projects, attended the seminar and defended the two projects. Funding for the projects has not yet been approved, he said, and further studies were needed before seeking cabinet approval "They are just approved in principal," he said. 136 Somkiat declined comment on the inundation issue. Of the Bt44.8-bi11ion package approved during the mobile cabinet meeting in Chanthaburi, on]y 13 major projects worth Bt2.7 billion were given budget approval. Somkiat said. The two controversial projects were not included in the 13 approved projects, he said. Hamnarong added that the two projects., like most projects in this package, must conduct environmental-impact assessments (EIAs) and seek legal approval but none have yet done so. He suggested that those in charge of EIA approval had not done their duty. At the seminar, representatives ofRayong civic groups expressed their strong opposition toward other parts of the government's package, especially those involving diversion of water from reservoirs and rivers in their province. "The government is biased, trying to rescue industries without considering the tremendous impact on us, local residents and our environment," Sud.hi Atchasai, a group leader said. "How can the government do this to us? It said nothing, but will take water from us for hungry factories. lt did not ask whether we have enough water to share with others. It also failed to listen to our complaints and suggestions," he said. Local villagers yesterday submitted letters to two Senate committees------the committee on agriculture and the committee on social development and human security-as wen as to the National Human Rights Commission. They seek a temporary halt to the government's controversial package and a review of all projects, with public participation, before a final decision is made. Kamol Sukin, Janjira Pongrai The Nation http://www.natiomnultimedia.com/2005/08/06/headlines/data/headlines 18278125.html Site Visited: Tuesday, December 05, 2006 139 His activism did not lapse with age. At 75, Dr Boonsong was an ardent opponent of the Nam Choan Dam, the plans for which were finally scrapped in 1988. It was his last major public campaign. He later became bed-ridden and passed away in February 1992 at the age of 85. So how did it all begin? How did a physician whose initial interest in nature was as a hunter become Mr Conservation? "It all began with an eager, youthful big-game hunter yearning for excitement and sport, while filled with a love for the wilderness," said Dr Boonsong in an acceptance speech when he was awarded the prestigious J. Paul Getty Wildlife Conservation Prize in 1979. "I wished to know more about my prey, perhaps only for selfish reasons, to know its habits and ways. Gradually, however, I fell in love with the animals seen through my gunsight, and I slowly realised that, unless permitted the necessities for life, these wonderful creations would perish forever." Born on December 15, 1907 in Songkhla to a family of Chinese descent, Dr Boonsong grew up in a village surrounded by untouched forests teeming with wildlife. "Wild animals were everywhere," he said in an interview in 1981. "Even when you travelled by river, you had to watch out for elephants, who sometimes overturned boats. The woods were so thick you couldn't see the sun." When Dr Boonsong's one-time co-author Jeffrey McNeely asked him about his earliest wildlife memory, the anecdote Dr Boonsong replied with, which McNeely retold in the doctor's funeral book, revealed both his kind heart and the self-effacing sense of humour that helped him sustain his conservation mission. Dr Boonsong told about living in a small village near the Malay border when he was in the first grade. "A small bird had fallen from its nest, and I found it as I was eating my lunch. I tried to climb the tree to put it back into its nest, but there was no branches so I had to put my arms around the tree and try to climb it like I would a pole. Unfortunately, I could make it only a few feet up before I would slip back down, leaving the front of my shirt torn and dirty. "Seeing that I could not return the bird to its nest, I put it in my shirt pocket, planning to make another try after school. But right after class was called to order, the little baby bird started to call for some worms. The teacher, who was rather stern as I remember, looked at me with a frown. 140 "I immediately stood up, apologised for the disturbance, and took the bird back to where I had found it in the hope that its mother could somehow take it back to its nest. "When I got home after school, my mother gave me a beating for tearing my shirt." During his teens, with support from his brother's employers, the Worakitbanharn family, Dr Boonsong left his village to study in Bangkok. After graduating from medical school, he set up the country's first polyclinic staffed by specialist physicians. It was during this period that Dr Boonsong took to forest exploration and hunting. Working with his colleagues at the museum of wildlife at his house. "He told me that before World War Two, he would take several hunting trips a year, hunting big game animals such as gaurs and banteng, shooting only trophy animals and what was needed for the cooking pot," wrote McNeely. In those days, Thailand was about 70 per cent forested and the forests were rich with game. "We could see two or three herds of elephants a day, along with as many as 50 gaurs and banteng and numerous barking deer and sambar," Dr Boonsong told McNeely. "In the swamps of Khao Sam Roi Yod, garganey, whistling ducks and teals would blacken the sky as they took wing. Thailand was a wildlife paradise in those days." That was also the time when big game were considered a threat to human safety. Since wildlife officials were non-existent, "Dr Boonsong was the man 141 the villagers would turn when they were ravaged by a rogue elephant or a man-eating tiger," wrote McNeely. The influx of firearms after World War Two changed all that. A new breed of career hunters equipped with powerful weaponry began to decimate animal populations. Even more harmful was the loss of natural habitat caused by the clearing of forests to make room for cash crops, a government policy at the time. Startled by the massive rate of deforestation and rapidly vanishing wildlife, Dr Boonsong set up the Association for the Conservation of Wildlife in 1951. His environmental protection mission never stopped after that. A pioneer in conservation, Dr Boonsong had to start everything he did from scratch, wrote veteran conservationist Pisit na Pattalung in the doctor's funeral book. "He used his house as a museum and office, digging deep in his pockets to compile books, specimens and knowledge about the wild from both experts and local villagers." Believing in the power of the media, and wanting to encourage the generation that would follow him, Dr Boonsong undertook many expeditions to film the natural world. During the regime of strongman Sarit Thanarat, who believed that Thailand's forests would never disappear, Dr Boonsong arranged, with help from Sarit's close friend, Pongsak Suriyothai, to have the military ruler view the destruction of the once majestic Dong Phaya Yen forest by helicopter. Field Marshal Sarit was stunned. Soon after he issued the country's first national park laws and applied them to Khao Yai. "This was an important landmark for conservation in Thailand," wrote Pis it, calling Dr Boonsong Thailand's "father of conservation". His 40 years of service not only left the country with better conservation practices but also also nurtured a spirit of conservation among younger generations. Today, Dr Boonsong's thoughts about his lifelong mission still ring true for those who want to follow in his footsteps. "Our real dilemma in wildlife conservation is to try to reconcile it with economic development," he once said. 142 "Conservation is sometimes a life and death issue in Thailand. We cannot be afraid to take some risks." IN REMEMBRANCE Dr Boonsong Lekagul's centenary birthday celebrations start with the launch of an updated version of the book 'Birds of Thailand' this Saturday at the Siam Society. There will also be a screening of Dr Boonsong's work, as well as a discussion on his contribution to the protection of forests and wildlife. The programme starts at 1pm. On May 5, the Writers' Association will organise a public talk to honour Dr Boonsong's work as a writer. During his life, he penned as many as 165 articles, books and novels to spread the message of conservation. Several conservation and environment groups will also organise their own programmes throughout the year to honour Thailand's 'Father of Conservation'. For more information, call Ariya Bunnag on 08-1649-4798 or 02-574-3447. http://www.bangkokpost.com/080207 Outlook/08Feb2007 out60.php Date: Friday, February 09, 2007 143 Autobiography Name-Surname Mr. John Arana Permanent Address 22/24 Ambergris Ave. Belmopan City Cayo District Belize Central America Email [email protected] Educational Background Bachelor of Architecture, University of Panama 2001 Currently studying MA Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism. Silpakom University, Bangkok, Thailand Special Training Diploma: ''Spanish as a second language" Pepito Mendoza School for foreign scholars, September 1990 -June 1991. Certificate of completion: "AUTOCAD 2D" University of Panama, 17 April l 999 -26 June 1999. Certificate of completion: ""AUTOCAD 3D" University of Panama, 15 January 2000 - l April 2000. Certificate of completion: "3D STUDIO VIZ R3/ Advanced Project Presentation" Autodesk Training Center, 3 January 2001 - 2 February 2001.