Thailand moving forward with its ambitious expansion of national parks

In 2017, Thailand embarked on an admirable and ambitious 20-Year National Strategic Plan to expand its forest area to cover 55 per cent of the entire country’s land. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently announced that since 2016, five new national parks have been added to the Kingdom, which is now home to 133 national parks. That impressive number already accounts for 32 per cent of the land area nationwide, so the country is well on its way to achieving its goal by 2037.

For a country that has become a world-renowned tourism destination, a move towards environmental preservation of this level is both vital and impressive. The national park system follows three key mandates: environmental conservation, research and recreational development.
The five new additional parks not only aid natural habitat protection and growth, but also give travelers even more opportunities to explore and experience Thailand’s incredible biodiversity beyond its white-sand beaches.

The five new national parks are: Namtok Chet Sao Noi National Park, Khun Sathan National Park, Mae Takhrai National Park, Than Sadet-Ko Phangan National Park, and Doi Chong National Park. The parks have breathtaking landscapes that are perfect for active adventures. Than Sadet-Ko Phangan National Park is situated on a beautifully rugged and wild island 100km away from Surat Thani’s coast, whilst the other parks offer impressive mountain ranges, dense jungles, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, and more.

Thailand’s forested area now covers 164 million km2 and marks encouraging progress of the country’s 20-year goal. Moreover, it means that we can continue to offer even more sustainable active itineraries, and travelers can traverse and admire Thailand’s wonderful natural beauty in protected areas. The country plans to add another 22 national parks, including 11 land national parks and 11 marine national parks, totaling 13 per cent of all area nationwide.

As we’re stoked about the preservation of natural heritage throughout our 5 destinations we have nothing but admiration for Thailand’s government’s ambition to expand protected forest to cover more than half of the entire country by 2037 and hope many other nations in the region will follow the example!

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Curious to find out how your travelers can explore any of Thailand’s national parks themselves?

Have a look today at two of our respectful cultural immersions into the disappearing colorful Akha culture in Northern Thailand’s Sri Lanna National Park:

1. THAILAND – Chiang Mai – An encounter with the Akha culture
2. THAILAND – Chiang Mai – Hiking and hill tribe immersion in Akha Culture – 2D1N

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