Dept wants divers to make e-applications

The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department plans to introduce an online application service this year for tourists wanting to go scuba diving.

It said the scheme is part of its “National Park 4.0” project that requires the use of technology and innovation for better park management.

Songtam Suksawang, director of the National Park Office, said the department will apply more technology for park management especially in wildlife and forest protection practices and tourist management.

The department will launch an online application service for tourists to make diving reservations at all marine national parks, so park officials can control tourist numbers. A key problem for the department is marine parks being swamped by tourists.

“If everything goes according to plan, we can introduce the scheme by October, the start of the tourist season in the Andaman Sea,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thanya Nethithammakul, the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation chief, said the department also will introduce e-tickets for national park entry, which is expected to be launched this year.

The 10 most profitable parks are scheduled to be part of the pilot project for the electronic ticketing.

They include Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi province, Ao Phangnga National Park in Phangnga province, and Had Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi in Krabi province.

During the introductory period, pay-asyou-enter tickets will still be available.

The plans were revealed at a seminar organised by the department yesterday on “Digital Technology and Innovation for National Park Management”.

The seminar discussed using technology for a smart patrol system which could be implemented to crack down on illegal poaching and tree felling.

Mr Songtam said the department will invest around 50 million baht in taking daily satellite images of parks nationwide to allow the department to better monitor and prevent encroachment.

Particular attention would focus on 13 provinces in the North where the problem of illegal logging and encroachment is serious.

He said forest officials can act more quickly if they have daily images to hand, meaning the images will provide a better chance of catching culprits red-handed.

Another anti-logging measure currently being trialed in the North is a scheme where micro-cameras are hidden in trees in protected forests to prevent illegal logging.

According to sources, a signal will be sent to forest officials if someone is captured on camera acting suspiciously.

Other areas of concern are Thap Lan National Park in Prachin Buri province and Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima where illegal rosewood logging has sparked concern by Unesco’s world heritage committee.