Tourists head to parks for cool climate

Hordes of visitors were also seen at scenic Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Phitsanulok, where the mercury plunged to 14 degrees Celsius early in the morning. In Khao Yai the temperature dropped to 18 degrees.

Suwan Phanunampha, chief warden of the Phitsanulok park, said he estimated that tourists had increased by 70 per cent from last year.

Khao Yai National Park chief warden Kritsada Homsud said most of the visitors there were from Bangkok. Some pitched tents inside the park and others took a day tour to enjoy nature. Last year, the park was the most popular among the 140 in the system countrywide, collecting Bt76 million in admission fees.

“Winter is the best-selling season here,” he said. 

Rangers were prepared to accommodate the tourists, who would spread throughout the park. Visitors were asked to refrain from feeding the animals, making loud noises, dumping garbage and speeding. Attendance this weekend was up tremendously despite the spotting of two big crocodiles lounging around Pha Kluay Mai. The area is now closed to park-goers.