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...........................................