Appreciate national parks while you can

Yellowstone and Yosemite were among the first in what is now a vast network of large, beautiful parks, at least one of which straddles national boundaries (Glacier, with Canada).

Developing the national park system wasn’t all smooth sailing. Many times along the way, there was resistance from ranchers, loggers and miners. One recurrent theme, in the official designation of parkland, was rich people clandestinely buying large tracts of particularly scenic terrain, and later giving the land to the government – to be designated as park land. (Note to the Shinawatras: You could actually do something decent, to help others, with some of your tens of billions of baht.)

A national park does not allow commercial enterprises, and belongs to the people in perpetuity. Thailand has a few small parks, but much more could be done. Well-managed parks benefit people in many ways, not least by nurturing a deep appreciation for nature and country.

Certain politicians in Bangkok proclaim “reconciliation” is of paramount importance – but the only reconciliation needed is among the politicians themselves. Regular Thai people get along quite well with each other. The politicians should instead add a few million rai to Thailand’s park system, and then go out in nature – to tune in with what’s real.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai