There has been a strong backlash following the DNP’s announcement that it was putting up park fees by as much as 150 per cent.
Operators complain they were given no advance notice. Agents have already signed tour price contracts with foreign partners for the year from October 2012 to October 2013, which do not take into account the new higher park fees.
TEATA has a number of members who operate tours to national parks so it is taking the lead role in sending the complaints to the government agency.
Its president, Sumitra Mutturanont, told TTR Weekly last week, “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 the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations to add more weight to the complaint.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reports that ticket to all 148 national parks will be available for purchase from 7-Eleven stores from November.
National Parks Office director Witthaya Hongviengchan said that this would help prevent corruption on sales of tickets to national parks, “which has been a problem for the department”, and reduce the amount of manpower needed at park gates.
Eventually, tickets will be available only through an electronic vending system, Mr Witthaya said.
The system will also allow the Park Department to manage the number of people going into parks to ensure none are overloaded with visitors.