An exceptional natural environment to protect
Thailand has 127 national parks throughout the country, as well as marine parks. These beautiful natural areas are home to a wealth of flora and fauna, and it's worth describing just a few of the country's most beautiful national parks. Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, in Chiang Mai province, is packed with hiking trails. It boasts almost 2,000 species of plants and ferns, 50 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. In Phu Kradong National Park, one of the country's most beautiful, it's a pleasure to hike to heights of over 1,200 m for breathtaking panoramic views of the abundant forests, including conifers, and reliefs on the horizon. There are also numerous waterfalls and, as far as wildlife is concerned, jackals, monkeys and even tigers make their home here. Such biodiversity also perfectly qualifies Khao Sok National Park. Here, the jungle mingles with the sea, which is the boating ground for locals and tourists alike who come to enjoy the beauty of the area. One of the most incredible marine parks is Moo Kho. It is an archipelago of 42 islands stretching over 102 km2. Excursions often include island hopping, swimming and scuba diving in the clear turquoise waters. East of Bangkok, Khao Yai National Park extends over 2,200 m². The forests and mountains are home to a multitude of animals: wild elephants, macaques and increasingly rare species such as tigers, sambars and black panthers. To the west of the Thai capital this time, Erawan National Park is a favorite spot for sports enthusiasts, and home to the country's most beautiful waterfalls: Erawan Falls. Tourism and the irresponsible behavior of many people threaten the natural splendors and rich fauna mentioned above, and the creation of national parks is an insufficient response to preserve this varied environment. While it is acknowledged that the Thai authorities still have a great deal of work to do to protect their exceptional lands, certain measures have been taken, such as the fairly recent announcement by the Thai Ministry of National Parks to temporarily close tourism in the national parks during the rainy season. These closures, which run from May to September or October, depending on the region, are intended to restore nature to the protected areas, as well as contributing to visitor safety, since conditions are often rainy and stormy at this time of year.
Numerous environmental problems in the challenge
The country has been facing various environmental problems for many years. Starting with deforestation: in 1961, 53% of the country was covered by jungles and forests; by 1998, this had fallen to 25%. There are many reasons for this: first and foremost urbanization and the development of large-scale industry, but there is also the clearing of wooded areas for farming (sugar cane, rice paddies, etc.) and traditional slash-and-burn cultivation. On average, the country loses 5,000 km² of forest every year! If the current rate of loss continues, Thailand could lose another third of its tropical forests over the next twenty years. Awareness of this scourge is fairly recent for the country. In 2012, the King of Thailand intervened to call for sanctions against corrupt officials who turn a blind eye to deforestation, following a World Bank report on illegal logging.
Another problem in the city, and particularly in the capital Bangkok, is critical air pollution. In a megalopolis with a population of almost 12 million and 10 million cars on the road, many of them diesel, the level of fine particles harmful to health is alarming, and during certain pollution peaks, the authorities no longer hesitate to close schools. Poor air quality is also due to the use of coal in power stations around the city and the presence of numerous construction sites. Scientists and environmentalists are calling on public authorities to provide better supervision of construction sites and to develop public transport.
Water, at the heart of various issues
For many years, the Thai Gulf has been the victim of overfishing, with pirate vessels trawling and ignoring regulated zones. In all, entire species of fish have been decimated, seriously threatening the marine ecosystem. While Europe is the world's leading importer of fish, it is also the European Union that has denounced this disastrous phenomenon, threatening to ban Thai imports. After working hand-in-hand with the country's authorities, a number of measures have emerged, with the aim of improving fleet management, tracking boats by satellite and intercepting suspicious vessels. The sea, which is the delight of many foreign tourists who come to enjoy the paradisiacal beaches and mild temperatures in southern Thailand, is also home to over 70 species of coral, extremely threatened by mass tourism, fishing and global warming, as is the case in Phuket. To prevent the corals in Thailand's seas from becoming extinct, the Department of Marine Sciences at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Science has proposed a project to freeze coral sperm for future artificial insemination to ensure their survival. It's also hard not to mention the island of Koh Phi Phi Leh, made famous by the famous film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Since the film's release, the paradise beach of Maya Bay has welcomed up to 5,000 visitors a day, resulting in severe coral erosion due to pollution from the engines of the boats chartered by the region's many tour operators. Since its reopening in 2023, the number of visitors has been limited and boats have been banned from the bay. What's more, the site closes for 2 months of the year to preserve the aquatic flora and fauna.
The sea, water, is undoubtedly Thailand's biggest environmental problem. In the north-east of the country, drought is a regular occurrence. In 2002, the country's central region had the lowest water reserves per capita in Asia, and a third of this water was considered unfit for consumption, due to domestic and industrial waste being discharged into waterways. On the coasts, the disastrous effects of mass tourism and the habits of the inhabitants on the amount of plastic and waste found in the sea must also be noted. Thailand is the world's sixth biggest contributor to ocean pollution. To combat this pollution, the authorities have announced measures to invest in wastewater reprocessing plants, tighten legislation around environmental standards and even attempt to ban the use of single-use bags in the country by 2025. However, it is too early to say whether these measures will be enough to eradicate this major threat to the country.
Another water-related issue is the recurrent shortages of running water on islands that have suffered from overtourism. This phenomenon regularly affects tourist activities on Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi during periods of heatwave, when water reservoirs dry up. The authorities are working on an underwater water distribution network to tackle this problem in the coming years.
The consequences of climate change on Thailand
While the effects of climate change are felt in all regions of the world, Thailand must prepare for major factors that have already begun: on the one hand, severe droughts, and on the other, heavy rainfall during the rainy season, leading to severe flooding. Bangkok already suffered severe flooding in 2011, and some experts believe that part of the city could be under water by 2050. This is due to the city's overdevelopment and the construction of numerous high-rise buildings, which are contributing to the city's sinking into the ground and, of course, to the rising waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The country's capital is not the only one to suffer from climate disruption, since in other regions it is penalizing ecosystems and essential economic activities such as agriculture, fishing and tourism.
A population not sufficiently concerned by ecology
The people of Thailand are not yet fully aware of the dangers of global warming for their territory. They are not sufficiently informed, and so do not change their behavior accordingly. In fact, they are among the world's worst ocean polluters. They use an average of eight plastic bags a day, most of which end up in the sea. The government does take a few measures to raise public awareness, such as outreach programs on the benefits of forest preservation, or banning mass tourism from certain marine areas to allow biodiversity to recover. But it's clear that the country's ecological awakening has not taken place, and it seems essential that the authorities implement prevention and awareness-raising campaigns so that the younger generations grow up aware of the dangers of climate disruption. If the government is to grasp the seriousness of the situation, perhaps figures like Lilly, a 12-year-old Thai girl, can help raise awareness and change mentalities. At present, she has already convinced several major retail groups, including the giant 7 Eleven, which has thousands of outlets across the country, to stop giving out single-use plastic bags once a week, and even plans to eliminate them completely from circulation by 2025. An encouraging move.
Is ecotourism a solution?
Ecotourism is a form of travel to large natural areas, towns and habitats that aims to help preserve the environment and respect local populations. Today, a number of agencies offer organized tours that emphasize ecotourism. For example, hiking in a national park, where entrance fees contribute to the preservation of the park; using non-polluting means of transport; or spending a day in a local's home to share scenes of daily life and learn more about local know-how. While it's clear that the Thai government is a key player in raising the population's ecological awareness, it's also up to tourists themselves to change their travel habits and contribute to green tourism. For example, it's advisable to eat in restaurants rather than order takeaways or deliveries, as most establishments tend to use large quantities of plastic materials: food boxes, bags, cutlery, cups, various bags for sauces and condiments, straws, rubber bands to hold everything together... It's clear that the land of smiles will continue to be the destination of many tourists in search of a change of scenery, dazzling landscapes and a favorable climate. So it's up to each and every one of us to contribute to the development of eco-responsible tourism and preserve these priceless riches for as long as possible.
