Latest news with #DepartmentofNationalParks
Bangkok Post
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Benefits to axeing bulbul's status: govt
The government has pointed out what it sees as the "benefits" of removing the red-whiskered bulbul, or nok krong hua juk, from the list of protected wildlife species. It aims to support both conservation and the economy, says Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on. A working group has been set up by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to study the bird's population, control illegal hunting, and prevent captive birds from returning to the wild. The group will assess potential impacts over the next three months before making recommendations. The move aims to allow for regulated breeding and ownership of the bird, which is popular among Thais. Mr Chalermchai said responsible ownership can help prevent extinction and stimulate a bird-related economy. Addressing concerns that de-listing may lead to increased poaching, he said officials would be able to verify whether a bird was bred in captivity or taken from the wild. "If we continue to ban it completely, people may capture wild birds secretly," he warned. "Instead, we should engage with bird lovers, support their efforts, and work together on conservation." If any rules are violated, the species could be reinstated as protected, he added. DNP Director-General Atthapol Charoenchansa said the working group will survey wild populations and propose safeguards against poaching and escapes. Their findings will be submitted to the Wildlife Conservation Committee and then the cabinet for final approval. He said the red-whiskered bulbul trade is estimated to be worth over one billion baht. With proper regulation, wild birds can be kept separate from those in captivity, allowing Thailand to benefit from both conservation and economic opportunities.
Sharjah 24
20-07-2025
- Health
- Sharjah 24
Healing the wild: Life inside Thailand's wildlife care facility
Innovative veterinary solutions Veterinarian Siriporn Tippol highlights the challenges of treating such a wide variety of species. The team often improvises with available tools, such as modifying equipment for cats and dogs to fit larger animals like bears and tigers. Daily tasks include treating wounds, assessing conditions like cataracts, and managing skin ailments in Malayan sunbears. Transformative facilities The newly opened, spacious hospital replaces a much smaller clinic, allowing for more surgeries and better treatment options. Founder Edwin Wiek, who started WFFT in 2001 with just a few animals, emphasizes the need for a proper medical facility to accommodate the over 900 animals in their care. Advocacy against trafficking Wiek has long advocated for stronger wildlife protections in Thailand, a country known for wildlife trafficking. The WFFT works closely with the Department of National Parks, coordinating efforts to rehabilitate injured animals. One major campaign targets the use of monkeys in coconut harvesting, which often involves illegal practices that threaten species survival. Future aspirations While the hospital is already making strides, Wiek aims to further enhance its capabilities with additional equipment like a mobile X-ray unit and a forensics lab to trace the origins of trafficked animals. He believes that stronger enforcement of existing laws is crucial in combating illegal wildlife trafficking effectively.
Bangkok Post
18-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Facial recognition to help manage Maya Bay crowds
KRABI - A facial recognition system will soon be adopted at Maya Bay to manage visitor flow and enhance conservation efforts, according to national park officials. The face-scanning system will be set up at the entrance to the popular attraction and will start operating on Oct 15, said Saengsuree Songthong, chief of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park. He said the system would link with the existing e-ticket platform under the e-National Park scheme and allow real-time verification of tourists against pre-booked data. 'The system will distinguish between Thai and foreign nationals, as well as adults and children, helping reduce entry delays during high season, when visitor numbers peak at 4,000 per day,' Mr Saengsuree said. Maya Bay will be one of 11 pilot locations in six marine parks nationwide to introduce facial recognition simultaneously. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will ensure transparent and traceable fee collection, allowing rangers to focus more on tourist safety and environmental protection, he noted. Although tourist numbers are lower during the monsoon season, averaging 1,000 to 2,000 per day, park authorities still limit access to Maya Bay to a maximum of 375 visitors per hour to minimise ecological impact. In the first half of the 2025 fiscal year, the e-ticket system helped generate over 391 million baht in park revenue. Tourists planning to visit Maya Bay this coming high season are advised to book in advance and familiarise themselves with the new system to support sustainable tourism, said Mr Saengsuree. Entrance fees to Maya Bay for Thai nationals are 40 baht for adults and 20 baht for children. Foreigners pay 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children. Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay and Lo Go Bay in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi park will be closed from Aug 1 to Sept 30 to allow natural restoration and ensure safety as seas can be rough during the monsoon season. Maya Bay gained fame — and notoriety — as the locale for the hit movie The Beach 25 years ago. The subsequent damage to the area took years to repair, and the site has been the focus of intensive conservation efforts ever since.
Bangkok Post
18-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Thailand sending four orangutans home to Indonesia
Thailand will repatriate four confiscated orangutans to Indonesia by the end of this year, as part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations. The orangutans were seized in two separate illegal wildlife trade cases earlier this year, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Three were confiscated on Jan 21 in Chumphon province, while two were seized during a sting operation in Bangkok in May — although one died while under the department's care. All of the surviving animals are being housed at the Khao Prathap Chang Wildlife Rescue Centre in Ratchaburi province. Sadudee Panpakdee, director of the department's Cites division, said Thai and Indonesian security authorities recently held talks on joint efforts to combat transboundary wildlife crime and return trafficked animals to their natural habitats. 'We reaffirmed our commitment to the Cites (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) agreement to conserve and protect wildlife,' he said. 'Sending the orangutans home this year symbolises our strong bilateral cooperation.'
Bangkok Post
12-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Hua Hin mango plantation ‘encroaching on state land'
Authorities say they have found evidence that a large commercial mango plantation in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province encroaches on nearly 4,000 rai of state land. They said the plantation, known as Rai Hub Phueng, covers parts of Kaeng Krachan National Park and adjacent state-owned property. In addition to mango trees, the site features a number of buildings and other infrastructure. Representatives of Thaisomboon Farm Co, the listed owner of Rai Hub Phueng, were summoned by the Department of National Parks to clarify the legality of their landholdings. Charges have since been filed against the farm's director and 15 others holding land rights on the disputed plots for violation of multiple laws. The case is set to be transferred to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for further action. It qualifies for special-case status as it involves more than 100 rai of land. An investigation was carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday at the site in Nong Phlap sub-district, about 25km inland from the beach town of Hua Hin, said Atthapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. It involved multiple government agencies and was prompted by suspicions of large-scale land encroachment in the area. The team found that a total of 3,952 rai had been unlawfully occupied. Of the total, 1,392 rai were within Kaeng Krachan National Park, including land either undocumented or held under Nor Sor 3 Kor — a land-use document that does not equate to full ownership. The remaining 2,728 rai was identified as Ratchaphatsadu (royal property). Mongkol Chaiphakdee, the head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, said the evidence clearly indicates systematic illegal occupation, and that both criminal and administrative action are being pursued. Several local officials are suspected of involvement, he said, particularly in approving activities such as excavation, landfilling, house registration and installation of telecommunications infrastructure. The issuance of new land use documents within forested areas is also under scrutiny.
