After World War II, the population of Thailand increased rapidly. This population boom led to and increase in the demand for natural resources. As a result, much of the forests in the country were encroached upon and converted to agricultural areas. Textile production in turn, was also increased. Firearm production was modernized and streamlined. The results allowed people to take more game from the forests. Many species were adversely affected, some were driven to extinction. Eventually the Thai government decided that the issue was a serious problem. They began to protect the nation's natural resources, wild animals, and forests.
The first step in this process was the establishment mechanism by which arboretums, forest, and national parks could be administered. This was an attempted in 1925, when the forest of Phu Kra Dung was gazetted as a forest park. Unfortunately, there were many problems. Lack of manpower, a small budget and a poor understanding of the need for conservation were a few. Then, in 1959 Field Marshal Sarit Tanarat, the prime minister, travelled into Thailand's northern regions. The visit gave him an appreciation for the country's natural areas, especially its forests. He returned and proposed to the government the a national parks system be created by the Ministries of Agriculture and the Interior. The Ministry of Agriculture then began discussion which areas would be most suitable.
A list of 14 potential sites for national parks was drawn up. This list was brought before the cabinet ministers and discussed with the prime minister's legal advisor. He recommended that an official announcement come from the Ministry of the Interior announcing that these areas were to become Thailand's first national parks. The Minister of Agriculture disagreed, saying that this would take too long. He proposed the following official procedure for establishing Thailand's first national park: 1) acquire the 14 areas; 2) have the Ministry of the Interior announce four areas, Pa Thuakhao Salop, Pa Khao Yai, Pa Tung Saleng Luang and Pa Doi Inthanon, as restricted national park areas; 3) stipulate that the other acquired areas be protected forests according the government's Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act. Phu Kra Duag, included in the original 14 was already protected, and immune to the order. On 2 October 1959, the cabinet ministers agreed that the Ministry of Agriculture should, together with the Ministry of the Interior, implement the project. In 1961 the National Park act was passed. Its main purpose was the protection of the nation's natural resources. For example, forest products, various tree species, animals, and sites themselves, like viewpoints and mountains are all to be left in their natural condition. The aim is to preserve them as a natural heritage, and preserve them for public education and enjoyment.
This law also established a National Parks Committee whose duties included advising the prime minister on matters of setting aside, expanding, altering, and protecting national parks. On 14 January 1989, King Rama IX ordered a royal Decree which amended the National Park Act of 1961. The order totally prohibited forestry activities. This was to give the nations forests a chance to recover from encroachment. It empowered forestry officials to enforce regulations and included provisions for ending concessions on activities like logging. Its most important aspect, however, was that it allowed land which was previously national reserve forest to be made into national park. The Office of Natural Resources Conservation has, under its jurisdiction, 79 national parks which cover an area of 25,076,367 rai (7.82 percent of the country's total area). Forty-eight more parks are scheduled to be gazetted in the future. They cover an additional 15,410,959 rai (4.80 percent of the country's total area). There are also 47 forest parks (519,859 rai) currently in existence.
For many centuries, human lived at this ecological crossroads with the resident fauna with little effect on wildlife population. Pre-technological human societies were small land concentrated in the most accessible areas of suitable agricultural land. Wildlife was protected but virtue of man's low number, use of primitive weapons and the inaccessibility of most wildlife habitat.
However, in mid 20th century, there was a period of modern technology, sophisticated land clearing equipment, all terrain vehicles and powerful weapons played the great role on natural resources of country including wildlife. Wildlife habitat was clear for farming and timber producing, in the mean time, wildlife was hunted more and more to satisfy the increasing of national and international demands.
By the late this century, it had become obvious that without local protection, Thailand would loose its once rich natural heritage. Through the efforts of concerning people, legislators, supported by some of Thai conservation societies. Thailand first environment law, The Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act was passed on December 26, 1960. This Act was revised for more suitable and was passed on February 19, 1992. The Act supported the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries, protecting of important species as reserved wildlife and also the initiated of the Wildlife Conservation Division in the Royal Forest Department of Thailand.
Presently, there are 44 wildlife sanctuaries and 47 non-hunting areas cover the area of 20,007,434 rai and 1,966,563 rai respectively. In addition, The wild animals which are considered extremely rare and in danger of extinction (some may already be extinct) is the Reserved Wildlife. The Act has indicated 15 species of Reserved Wildlife as follows:
1. White-eyed River Martin (Pseudochelidon sirintarae)
2. Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus)
3. Sumatran Rhinoceros (Didermoceros sumatraensis)
4. Kouprey (Bos sauveli)
5. Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
6. Eld's Deer (Cervus eldi)
7. Schomburgk's Deer (Cervus schomburgki)
8. Serow (Capriconis sumatraensis)
9. Goral (Naemorhedus griseus)
10. Gumey's Pitta (Pitta gumeyi)
11. Sarus Crane (Grus antigone)
12. Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata)
13. Malaya Tapir (Tapirus indicus)
14. Fea's Barking Deer (Muntiacus feai)
15. Dugong (Dugong dugon)
Hunting, collecting or keeping in captivity of these species are forbidden except by the special permission of the Royal Forest Department of Thailand.
One of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry is that of "ecotourism", whereby tourists visit undisturbed natural areas to experience spectacular scenery and view wildlife. Such tourism generates very large profits, since ecotourists are often prepared to pay high prices for modest accommodation. Capital investment and infrastructure requirements are therefore low. It is estimates that US$ 25 billion per year flows from developed to less developed countries through ecotourism (Whelan, 1988 cited by Stephen Elliott).
Thailand, with its extensive national parks system, is an ideal location for such tourism. The revenue generated could potentially make national parks financially self-supporting. If local villagers had a share in the profits (perhaps by providing accommodation and guides) the standard of living in impoverished rural areas would be increased. Encroachment, logging and hunting would be deterred, since these would threaten tourism earnings and the risk of culprits being discovered would be increased in areas frequented by tourists. Eco-tourists and villagers alike would become better educated in conservation issues and would therefore be more likely to campaign for the protection of national parks, when they are threatened by destructive activities.
However, tourism development within national parks must be carried out with the greatest of care, if it is not to damage forests and wildlife or destroy the sense of wilderness which most ecotourists seek. Many inappropriate facilities have been built or proposed in Thailand's national parks, ostensibly to promote tourism: Koh Samet's bungalow resorts; Khao Yai's golf course; the Doi Suthep cable car system etc. Such development is inconsistent with the main function of national parks which is to conserve forests, wildlife and unique scenery (Kasetsart University, 1987 cited by Stephen Elliott). Nor does it take into consideration the preferences of the tourists themselves, since little data are available about what tourists expect from national parks.
Regarding the study of Stephen Elliott on Tourists' Perceptions of Wildlife and National Parks in Northern Thailand, he found that Using questionnaires, 967 tourists (490 foreigners, 477 Thais) were asked about their attitudes towards wildlife and national parks in northern Thailand. Both Thais and foreigners ranked wildlife conservation and protection of watersheds as more highly important functions of national parks than tourism and recreation. Most tourists thought that construction of tourist facilities such as roads and hotels should not be permitted within national parks. Tourists were prepared to pay high prices for guided day treks to see wildlife in their natural habitats. The mean prices suggested by foreigners and Thais respectively were 371 baht and 321 baht to see elephants, 280 baht and 230 baht to see gibbons and 287 baht and 260 baht to see Thailand's largest flower. Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon were the most popular parks in the North. The most preferred activities by visitors to these national parks were walking along forest trails and visiting waterfalls. Touring by motor vehicles was not very popular. More than half of visitors to Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon were satisfied with exiting accommodation, transport facilities and walking trail, but most complained about the lack of information and facilities for viewing wildlife. Most visitors to both parks thought they had been spoilt by deforestation, pollution and tourism development to satisfy the demands of tourists, no development of roads or large hotels in national parks is necessary. Instead, tourism development should concentrate on providing better information and facilities for viewing wildlife (guide treks, hides, salt licks etc.). Forest restoration and garbage removal are also priorities.
During 1995-1996, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has established policies and guidelines for ecotourism to establish recommendations and systems for harmonious operations.
1. The policies for ecotourism
To achieve the objectives in development, the following policies are directed:
1.1. Promotion and development of tourism resources in terms of natural attractions, as well as historical, archaeological, and cultural sites, emphasizing quality, together with an effective communication system, and awareness of the capacity in accommodating tourists.
1.2. Co-ordination, so as to create co-operation from all parties concerned, emphasizing the promoting of responsibilities for the ecological system, and organization of tours that do not cause damage or deterioration to the environment.
1.3. Building up awareness in the type of tourism that contributes to conservation, and a favourable return to the ecological system.
1.4. Proceeding with planning, improving, and developing rules and regulations, organization, efficient management of ecological tourism, so as to create collaboration and assistance among the government, the private sectors, and the local people.
1.5. Encouraging the local community to be directly and indirectly involved with, and to gain benefits from tourism.
1. Objectives in the development of ecotourism:
1.1. To develop tourism in Thailand to sustainable tourism.
1.2. To instil awareness and proper understand of tourism in the public, so as to gain knowledge and develop a sense of responsibility.
1.3. To maintain the quality of tourism area, as well as the quality of the life of the local people.
2. Management guidelines
To achieve the objectives of the five main factors stated at the beginning, the following clear and accurate management guidelines are necessary:
2.1. Guidelines for the management of tourism areas, and the conservation of the environment:
2.1.1. Considering the management of the tourism area by dividing it into different administrative sections in order to separate the activities of the tourism section from those of the conservation section.
2.1.2. Considering measures to seriously limit the number of tourist in environmentally fragile areas.
2.1.3. Clearly indicating the role of TAT in the conservation of environmentally fragile areas.
2.1.4. Considering regulations/rules of behaviour imposed on tourists.
2.2. Guidelines for communicating and giving educational services:
2.2.1. Producing tourism media in terms of nature, culture, and history.
2.2.2. Considering allocating a budget for producing tourism media to the parties involved.
2.2.3. Considering upgrading knowledgeable local people to the position of qualified and eligible specialist tour-guides; together with the development of a tourism curriculum to correspond with the recommendations for development.
2.3. Guidelines for encouraging participation from the local people and giving benefits to them:
2.3.1. All the organizations concerned have to promote education by disseminating information and understanding in ecotourism through various media, both inside and outside the formal education system to the youth, people in general, and community leaders.
2.3.2. Local tourism enterprises may be organized into the form of a club, an organization, or a co-op to collaborate in mapping the recommendations of development and conservation, as well as to strengthen the power in marketing negotiations. This will result in the sustainability of local enterprises. Private development organizations and academicians may be involved as advisors in management.
2.3.3. In proceeding with any recommendation, all the local resources should be primarily taken into consideration, whether they are personnel, raw materials, folk wisdom, or local heritage.
2.4. Guidelines for the prevention of the negative impact on culture:
2.4.1. Setting limits for tourists and business operators, realizing the impact on culture; for instance, avoiding to cause cultural disintegration by behaving in accordance with the local culture (not interfering with personal rights; not behaving in the way to offend local people, or treating them as inferior, but being polite and in accordance with the principles of equality and human rights).
2.4.2. Being aware of the fact that any change may cause an impact on the way of life and culture of local areas, study carefully and keep respect for the local culture and folk wisdom.
2.4.3. In presenting the genuine culture to tourists, being aware of accurate knowledge, approval of the local community, and particular rules of behaviour within the culture and rites; in addition, inappropriateness in the change of the culture and rites to suit the marketing directions, or only to please tourists.
2.5. Marketing guidelines:
2.5.1. To promote an idea of ecotourism among the youth and visitors in general both the Thais and the foreigners.
2.5.2. To set the standards of ecotourism management, putting more emphasis on quality than quantity of tourism arrivals.
2.5.3. To enhance the active role of tour operators in the ecotourism.
2.5.4. To promote, boost and facilitate the organizing of international conferences in connection with the ecotourism.
2.5.5. To produce and disseminate audio visual materials for the promotion of the ecotourism.
2.6. Other guidelines:
2.6.1. To consider the advantages, disadvantages, and limits of home stay accommodation.
2.6.2. To disseminate the knowledge on ecotourism which is clear, easy to understand and comprehensive.
Moreover, there are 16,444,823 tourists visiting the national parks all over Thailand due to the report of tourists entering national park in Fiscal Year 1997 (October 1996 - September 1997).
