TEATA to fight park fee hike

BANGKOK, 30 August 2012: Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association is preparing to a letter to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation requesting a postponement of higher entrance fees at 29 national parks.

Following the announcement, last week, that the confirmed the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation would raise entrance fees, 1 October, by 150% at 29 popular national parks, tour operators have raised a  hue and cry.

They claim the increases were  announced without giving travel agents advance notice. Agents have signed tour price contracts with its foreign partners that will be in force until October next year.

TEATA has a number of members who operate tours to national parks so it is taking the lead role to send the complaint to the government agency.

TEATA president, Sumitra Mutturanont, told TTR Weekly: “Yes, the association has been receiving complaints from members. TEATA is preparing a letter to the department’s director-general as well as to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. We will send it in a couple of days to explain the situation and request the fee increases be postponed until next year when the present contracts end.”

Ms Sumitra said if the first attempt failed to receive a positive response then the association will request a meeting to discuss the issue and possibly recruit support from Federation of Thai Tourism Associations to add more weight to the complaint.

The new fees have been introduced at top-ranked national parks such as Khao Yai, Inthanon, Erawan, Doi Suthep-Pui, Huai Nam Dang, Mu Ko Surin and Mu Ko Similan. Fees will be Bt100 for a Thai (Bt50, for a child) and Bt500 for a foreigner (Bt300, child).

At present (effective from 1 December 2007), Thais pay Bt40 at the listed national parks except for Mu Ko Surin and Mu Ko Similan which costs Bt80.

Foreigners pay Bt200 except for Mu Ko Surin, Mu Ko Similan, Pha Hom Pok, Inthanon, Thung Salaeng Luang, Phu Kradung, Khao Yai, Lanta and Hat Noppharatthara-Mu Ko Phi Phi that charge Bt400 per entry

Sourced: ttrweekly