During the long holiday from June 3-5, Khao Yai National Park (Thailand) saw thousands of visitors, bringing in nearly 800,000 baht in revenue from entrance fees, according to park chief Chaiya Huayhongthong.
A total of 13,370 Thai and foreign holidaymakers visited the park during the period, including 11,947 Thai adults, 943 Thai children, 394 foreign adults, and 86 foreign children.
Visitors accessed the park through two entry points, the Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine in Pak Chong district and Noen Hom in Muang district, with a total of 3,585 cars, 623 motorcycles, and a six-wheel passenger bus. The park collected a total of 784,590 baht in revenue from entrance fees.
A total of 578 seniors aged 60 and above, along with 54 children aged three and under, were exempted from the entrance fees.
Khao Yai National Park, a World Heritage Site spanning Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, and Nakhon Nayok provinces, boasts abundant natural resources, including forests and wildlife. Renowned for its picturesque attractions, the park enjoys cool weather year-round.
Only about 170 kilometers from Bangkok, the park’s scenic views draw numerous visitors, especially during long holidays.
On Saturday night, more than 1,000 holidaymakers occupied the Lam Ta Khong camping site, adjacent to wildlife grazing nearby.
Khao Yai National Park offers a variety of activities for visitors, such as hiking, wildlife watching, and visiting the Haew Narok and Haew Suwat waterfalls. There are also several viewpoints, including Nong Pak Chi Wildlife Watching Tower and Khao Rom, the highest peak in the park.
The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the cooler months from November to February. The rainy season, from May to October, is less crowded but the trails can be slippery and some areas may be closed due to flooding.
As the outdoor recreation industry continues to grow, destinations like Khao Yai National Park are seeing increased visitor numbers during peak seasons.
To accommodate these large crowds and enhance the overall visitor experience, park management and stakeholders should consider implementing strategies such as improving infrastructure, expanding camping facilities, and offering more diverse recreational activities.
In addition, promoting sustainable tourism practices, such as minimizing waste and conserving energy resources, can help mitigate the impact of high visitor numbers on the environment. By adopting these best practices, parks like Khao Yai can maintain their natural beauty and appeal while catering to the evolving needs of travelers in the outdoor hospitality sector.