New National Park fees unveiled

[lomuamart]

As most of us know already, there is rampant price discrimination against us "poor foreigners" here in Thailand. This is especially prevalent in the case of entrance fee charges to National Parks.
Well, a new pricing structure has been unveiled and will come into effect on December 1st 2007. Although the pronouncement currently exists only in Thai, I've tried to encapsulate the gist of things as best I can.
Basically, the parks will be split into 4 separate categories, with number 1 being the highest (and most expensive) through to number 4 which is free for all.
Category 1: Foreign adults 400B, foreign children 200B, Thai adults 80B, Thai children 40B.
Category 2: 200/100/40/20B in the same order
Category 3: 100/50/20/10B
Category 4: Free for everyone.

Fees are for a daily visit. If you visit more than one national park in the same day, there is no additional fee as long as you have the original receipt, although if your second visit is to a park with a higher entrance fee, you have to pay the difference.
Interestingly, there is no mention of discounts for foreigners who are here long-term, have Work Permits, Permanent Residency or exchange students. (Although I believe there never was, but people holding a Work Permit, for example, were generally able to get in at the Thai price).
I'm afraid that there too many National Parks throughout the country for me to mention every one, so choose your visits wisely?? Most of those in category 1 are in the south - Surin and Similan islands, Koh Lanta, Phi Phi islands, Krabi islands. Some are in the north - Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai. Phu Kradueng, Loei.
Those around the HH area and in category 2 are Kaeng Krachan, Kuiburi and Khao Sam Roi Yot.
Local category 3s include Huay Yang waterfall, Prachuabkirikhan. Wonkon beach, Prachuabkirikhan.

Entrance is free to any child under 3, regardless of nationality.
Children are from 3-14 years old.

So, how many national parks can I get around in one day?

[nightstalker]

san roi yet tried to charge me 400 baht, went to next beach for free.

sometimes if you show thai driving licence they only charge thai price, try a nice big smile.

better for us all to boycott them all.

[STEVE G]

Lomu, so I’ll be able to get in Sam Roi Yot for 200 bt again? That’s good news, I used to go for lunch at the seafood restaurant on the beach there sometimes, but when they put the price up to 400 bt I stopped going. It’s not that I begrudged them the amount if you were going to spend the whole day in the park, but it was a bit much to go there just for lunch.
I shall give it a try next week.

[lomuamart]

Lomu, so I’ll be able to get in Sam Roi Yot for 200 bt again? That’s good news, I used to go for lunch at the seafood restaurant on the beach there sometimes, but when they put the price up to 400 bt I stopped going. It’s not that I begrudged them the amount if you were going to spend the whole day in the park, but it was a bit much to go there just for lunch.
I shall give it a try next week.

These prices are supposed to be effective from Dec 1st, so let us know how you get on.

[Jaime]

I've always found that if you can give a couple of lines of banter to the park staff in Thai, you will get in for the Thai price.

[HHTel]

This is actually an improvement for a change. Earlier in the year, the standard charge of B200 was doubled (because the minister visited Europe and found the prices higher!) This grading of national parks does make more sense.

[PJG]

Lomu, so I’ll be able to get in Sam Roi Yot for 200 bt again? That’s good news, I used to go for lunch at the seafood restaurant on the beach there sometimes, but when they put the price up to 400 bt I stopped going. It’s not that I begrudged them the amount if you were going to spend the whole day in the park, but it was a bit much to go there just for lunch.

We have always waved a Name Card of the Restaurant at the Park Gate Keepers and they have waved us through without paying the entrance fee.

[STEVE G]

PJG, I’ll get some restaurant name cards if that is the case; thank-you for the information.

[Jim]

and Pala-U. I guess this falls under the Kaeng Krachan category 2?

I am also confused, this whole thing sounds far too sensible.

[PJG]

STEVE G

I might add that my Thai Wife always does the Name Card waving and I slide down in my car seat.

Good luck

[GLCQuantum]

and Pala-U. I guess this falls under the Kaeng Krachan category 2?

If you speak a little Thai to the guys at the gate of the Pala-U entrance you will get in for the Thai price of 40 baht.

Worked for me anyway

[buksida]

National parks to limit visitor numbers

PHUKET - The number of tourists entering 10 marine and forest national parks will be limited from July 1, 2008, said a senior officer at the National Resource and Environment Ministry.

Preecha Chansiritanon, deputy director-general of the Ministry’s National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said on Sunday his department had issued an order on November 20 limiting the number of visitors to 10 national parks throughout the country, particularly on weekends and public holidays.

It was an attempt to protect national parks from damage caused by mass tourism, according to Mr. Preecha. It was also aimed at boosting park security for tourists.

Among the national parks to be covered by the new limitation were Doi Suthep-Pui and Doi Inthanond in Chiang Mai, Phu Kradueng in Loei and Koh Surin and Koh Similan in Phang Nga.

Mr. Preecha said tourist activities such as diving and coral reef boat trips had threatened national parks. (TNA)

Thought: And in order to make up lost revenue foreigners will be charged more.

[STEVE G]

I managed to visit Sam Roi Yot early last month and it was indeed 200 baht. I tried to get a name card from the restaurant that we visit as PJG suggested, but unfortunately they didn’t have any.
They did however mention that there is another way into the area which seemed to involve that small village on the left of where the entrance is!