National Park tickets only available at convenience stores

[Big Boy]

Authorities plan to control the number of visitors to national parks by limiting sales of tickets, which will only be available online at convenience stores. Thanya Netithammakun, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said on Wednesday the move was conservation-oriented.

It would start with popular national parks in the near future, as they were usually packed with tourists on long holidays. Tickets would no longer be available at the entrances of national parks, but would be sold at convenience stores, he said. "This way we can control the number of visitors to individual parks. If the number of tourists reaches the set maximum, no more tickets will be issued until some visitors leave that place. The system is still being developed, but will be finished soon," Mr Thanya said. He dismissed any concerns over lost revenue. Admission fees were a byproduct, he said. The department was actually tasked with conserving national parks, not promoting tourism.

Park rangers were also being trained in first aid, so they can take good care of visitors who might fall ill or be injured, he said. "In the near future we will have ambulances at the five most popular national parks," Mr Thanya said. He referred to Ao Phang Nga National Park in Phangnga province, Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, Hat Nopparat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi, Khao Yai National Park mainly in Nakhon Ratchasima province, and Namtok Phlio National Park in Chanthaburi.

Full story Bangkok Post

[Nereus]

Have to wonder how they are going to control their dual pricing with this?
All very well to control the numbers for the environment, but what is the real reason?

[HHTel]

Another ludicrous ill-thought idea. Controlling numbers in and out of any event/attraction is easily done at the entrances. Director - General of National Parks!!!! Words fail me.

[Gregjam]

Excellent opportunity for those at the gate to accept an 'arrangement fee' to allow non ticketed arrivals entry!! Not that such a thing would happen here.

[Big Boy]

A bit of a bummer if you get to the park, but are turned away because you don't have a ticket. 7-11s are not common in National Park areas - could be quite a search.

[europtimiste]

Another smart Thai decision.....555555555

[StevePIraq]

I see the reasoning for this, to limit the impact of tourism on the environment. I have been to Pala U water fall a number of times and often there are lines of coaches waiting to enter. Once in it is terrible with hundreds of people around what should be a serene environment.
How will they manage the Nation Parks which include islands or will they be exempt.

[StevePIraq]

Another ludicrous ill-thought idea. Controlling numbers in and out of any event/attraction is easily done at the entrances. Director - General of National Parks!!!! Words fail me.

And how would you feel after driving for hours with relatives from overseas then you get to the gate and are told sorry full come back another day?

Not simple to control this issue.

[Spitfire]

Nice way to make the entry system opaque, vague and susceptible to scamming.....

[HHTel]

Another ludicrous ill-thought idea. Controlling numbers in and out of any event/attraction is easily done at the entrances. Director - General of National Parks!!!! Words fail me.

And how would you feel after driving for hours with relatives from overseas then you get to the gate and are told sorry full come back another day?

Not simple to control this issue.

That can happen almost anywhere. Certainly happens in the uk. But I take your point.

[StevePIraq]

One place that really does need control are the islands in the Andaman sea, people rave about Kho Phi Phi and James Bond Island, I have swore never to go again and the bay is like a a parking lot with hundreds of small boats, it is impossible to take a swim near the beach and the last time I went it was swarming with Chinese tourists.