PARKS FOR LIFE Why We Love Thailand’s National Parks 1 PARKS FOR LIFE: Why We Love Thailand’s National Parks Copyright © 2019, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and United Nations Development Programme. All rights reserved. Citation: Suksawang, Songtam and McNeely, J.A. 2019, Parks for Life: Why We Love Thailand’s National Parks. Third edition. Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the United Nations Development Programme, Bangkok, Thailand. ISBN: 978-616-316-518-3 Special advisors: Thanya Netithammakun Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Contributors: Hatairat Nukool, Komkrit Setbuppha, Worrawut Winyayong, Vasa Sutthipibul Sutharin Koonphol, CATSPA team, Supranee Kongtab and Kamonwan Kritasampan Cover photo: Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) Design/Printed: Clung Wicha Press, Nonthaburi, Thailand First edition: 2015 Second edition: 2016 Third edition: 2019 DNP and UNDP gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in first and second edition. Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation 61 Phahonyothin Road, Lat Yao, Chatuchak Bangkok, 10900 Tel: +66(0) 2561-0777 Fax: +66(0) 2562-0759 Website: www.dnp.go.th Disclaimers: The designation of geographical entities in this publication and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Reproduction of charts and figures for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holders, provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holders. 2 PARKS FOR LIFE: Why We Love Thailand’s National Parks WE DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MAHA CHAKRI SIRINDHORN, IN CELEBRATION OF HER FIFTH CYCLE AND APPRECIATION FOR HER STEADFAST AND INNOVATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE KINGDOM’S ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE. 3 PARKS FOR LIFE: Why We Love Thailand’s National Parks Foreword by Anand Panyarachun Former Prime Minister of Thailand Historically the Thai people have lived in harmony with nature, interacting with the environment and utilizing the country’s abundant natural resources. As Thailand’s economy continues to prosper, our dependence on the environment does not diminish, but increases. This book provides a timely reflection on how we are treating our ecosystems, our national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and why they are so important to us. Our land, trees, seas, and fresh waters are precious forms of natural capital, which we must continue to protect to provide sustainable benefits to all. Thailand currently has over 120 national parks that help protect biodiversity, provide a safe home for native plants and animals, and maintain ecological stability. The natural beauty, interesting wildlife and historical importance of our national parks attract people from all over the world and continue to provide opportunities for tourism. Importantly, the national parks contribute to people’s well-being, providing peaceful and safe areas where they can relax, engage in recreational activities and get in touch with nature. Thailand needs to carry out more study of the environment and specifically national parks to attain the relevant knowledge for their proper preservation as well as to deal more effectively with the growing environmental problems. This book will contribute significantly to our understanding and appreciation of the values of our national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and how we can best preserve them for the benefit of future generations. Anand Panyarachun 16 July 2016 4 PARKS FOR LIFE: Why We Love Thailand’s National Parks Message from Luc Stevens, United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative Thailand is well endowed with natural resources which form the foundation for its economic growth and cultural diversity. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other types of protected areas cover about 18% of the country’s total land and sea areas, serving as strongholds of biodiversity and habitats conservation for critical ecosystems and species. They provide the basis for livelihoods and food security for thousands of communities across the country. Through tourism, they generate income for the country. They are a treasure trove of genetic resources for pharmaceutical development. Forests absorb CO2, thereby reducing Thailand’s carbon footprint and the warming effects to the global climate. They also offer a long-term solution for flood management and other disaster risk reduction efforts, and build the resilience of the ecosystem to the impacts of climate change. This book will contribute to a better recognition of, and greater commitment and support to protect the country’s natural capital. The book advocates for investing in protected areas management to promote inclusive economic growth that takes the real value of biodiversity and ecosystems into account in decision-making in the country’s development. Most importantly, this book pays tribute to officials, superintendents, rangers, and communities who work tirelessly to keep Thailand’s protected areas intact for future generation. Effective and innovative management of protected areas, which creates more participation and support from communities and the wider public, will be fundamental to realising Thailand’s vision of stability, prosperity, and sustainability. It will provide an important basis for Thailand’s positioning towards the post-2015 development agenda. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is pleased to play its role in these endeavours, in partnership with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, through the project “Catalysing the Sustainability of Thailand’s Protected Area System” (CATSPA), with the support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). I wish to thank the authors for their valuable work, and to express my appreciation to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Luc Stevens 5 PARKS FOR LIFE: Why We Love Thailand’s National Parks Message from Thanya Netithammakun, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment National Parks are Thailand’s most valuable protected ecosystems under the supervision of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The principle objective for national park establishment, as mentioned in the National Park Act B.E.2504, is to conserve natural assets for future generations. In addition, this conservation will provide direct and indirect benefits such as the aesthetic value of nature and the recreational and educational values to all national and international visitors. DNP recognises national park management as a means to convey the importance of conservation cooperation between various sectors across the country as well as international collaboration in protected area management. Many projects have been undertaken to achieve conservation goals of protection and rehabilitation of natural ecosystems to ensure their healthy function and process for effective provision of ecosystem services. At the same time, the fertile parks regulate the equilibrium system which reduces the impact from climate change and supports the well-being of all of us. “National Park for Life” aims not only to educate park admirers and park staff, but also to inspire a love of nature based on an understanding of the values of the park. As Director of DNP, I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Songtam Suksawang and Professor Jeffrey A. McNeely who shared their lifelong experiences in protected areas management and translated technical descriptions to provide an understandable non-scientific story accessible to all readers. I personally wish that this book will influence and escalate positive behaviour and green lifestyles which will benefit our parks and our world to be a better place for future generations. Thanya Netithammakun Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation 6 PARKS FOR LIFE: Why We Love Thailand’s National Parks 7 PARKS FOR LIFE: Why We Love Thailand’s National Parks Preface Thailand’s protected areas, currently including 155 national parks, 60 wildlife sanctuaries, 87 non-hunting areas, and 92 forest parks, cover about 20 percent of the Kingdom’s territory. They are very popular with the Thai public and tourists from other countries, judging by the dense flocks of visitors that enjoy Thai nature on their holidays. But protected areas are more than just pretty places that effectively conserve wild nature. In addition to helping define Thai culture, they make many contributions to human welfare, including some that are little known despite their importance. Many of us who are working on protected areas have been concerned that their multiple benefits have not been fully appreciated. We had an opportunity to compile a broad variety of information about the kinds of benefits that our protected areas provide to the people of Thailand. This book is the result. It supports DNP guidebooks on National Parks but is not