ABSTRACT
The acreage of protected land has grown rapidly in Thailand. Between 1987 and 1992, the amount of land protected by the National Park Act (1961) increased by more than 40 per cent. However, due to budget constraints, funding for the maintenance and continued protection of these areas has not risen at a commensurate rate. At Khao Yai National Park in particular, the costs of park maintenance have risen 15 to 20 per cent annually in recent years, while cost recovery over the same period has dropped from 51 to 40 per cent (Table 10.1). Costs and Revenue for Khao Yai National Park (US$; US$1 = 25 baht) https://www.niso.org/standards/z39-96/ns/oasis-exchange/table">
Items
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
Revenue
Operating revenue:
174,838.28
168,478.40
150,692.92
192,380.40
na
entrance fees
143,543.88
149,217.80
138,065.92
166,637.00
na
fines
16,487.20
13,990.00
11,412.00
8,270.00
na
accommodation
14,807.20
5,270.60
1,215.00
17,473.40
na
Allocated Budget:
262,256.00
347,440.00
458,868.40
484,720.00
793,280.00
Total park revenue
437,094.28
515,918.40
609,561.32
677,100.40
na
Costs
Cost of protection
232,108.68
283,234.52
322,557.60
310,914.20
352,245.76
Cost of tourism service
115,611.96
141,743.84
169,598.80
169,554.64
184,588.52
Road maintenance
–
–
–
–
321,309.12
Total cost
347,720.64
424,978.36
492,156.40
480,468.84
861,743.40
Increase in cost (%)
–
22.22
15.81
−2.37
11.73 *
Cost recovery (%)
50.28%
39.64%
43.34%
40.04%
na
Number of visitors
1,009,687
944,940
729,818
817,261
na
Cost per tourist
0.34
0.45
0.67
0.59
na
Average fee per tourist
0.17
0.18
0.21
0.24
na
na = information not available;
Notes:= does not include costs of road maintenance
Source: Khao Yai National Park