24-hour visitor centres set up at national parks
THE National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has stepped up its security in national parks nationwide for the New Year period, with temporary 24-hour visitor centres set up in most parks.
Department head Thanya Netithammakul said that given the influx of people to parks during this period, he had instructed park chiefs nationwide to set up the centres as a safety measure.
Park rangers would be deployed at the |centres around the clock, he said, with some of them trained in first aid.
Park chiefs were also instructed to ensure the parks don’t become overcrowded.
Thailand has 128 national parks, many of which are frequented by visitors as they offer pristine environments. They are especially popular during holiday periods. In the past overcrowding led to problems such as |accidents.
Thanya said the department did not want visitors to bring alcohol into the parks, and people should take their rubbish back home to dispose of – to reduce the parks’ burden and the threat to wildlife, as animals have in the past eaten plastic bags and died.
The department has waived park entrance fees for New Year visitors until today.