As a “welcome” to returning foreign tourists, Thailand’s five national parks have announced new entrance fees – and they will double. At the same time, the fee for Thais remains unchanged. The official reason for such an inflated fee is to reduce the anthropogenic load, but its “national orientation” may raise questions among tourists who will be hit in the pocket by it.
Last year, the entrance fee for both Thais and tourists was 200 baht ($5.3 or a little over UAH 200). But state officials decided that the return of tourists should be celebrated. The decision was posted on the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Conservation’s Facebook page — a two-page document in total about the new rules and ticket fees. Prices and parks are as follows:
Khao Yai National Park in the central province of Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Saraburi, and Nakhon Nayok. The price of an adult ticket is 400 baht, and Children’s: is 200 baht
Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park in the eastern province of Rayong (including Koh Tala, Koh Kudi, Kham – Koh Kruai) Adult: 300 baht, child: 150 baht
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park in the southern province of Surat Thani (including Ko Wua Ta Lab and Ko Mae Ko). Adult: 300 baht, child: 150 baht
Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu National Park Ko Phi Phi in the southern province of Krabi (including the islands of Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi Lay, and Ko Mai Phi) Adult: 400 baht, children: 200 baht
Mu Ko Lanta National Park in the southern province of Krabi (including the islands of Ko Rok, Ko Ngai, Ko Ha, and Ko Hin Daeng – Kong Hin Muang) Adult: 400 baht, children: 200 baht
Note that at least the last parks, that is, the islands, were very popular even among European tourists. Whether tourists will be stopped by the need to pay almost $11 at the current rate is a question, but the amount per family will be considerable.