Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Thai agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, with its headquarters in the capital Bangkok. Established in 2002, the DNP took over the management of Thailand's National Parks, previously under the Royal Forest Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. The DNP is responsible for managing and conserving Thailand’s biodiversity, including national parks, wildlife, and plant species. It promotes sustainable environmental practices to preserve the country’s natural heritage. The DNP protects ecosystems through park management, wildlife conservation, plant protection, and education while fostering community involvement. Its efforts include combating deforestation, enforcing environmental laws, and supporting ecotourism to balance conservation with local needs. Key goals include ecosystem restoration, climate change mitigation, and reducing human-wildlife conflicts, ensuring sustainable resource management for future generations. In 2018, the DNP implemented a program banning plastic bags, Styrofoam containers, plastic cutlery, and plastic straws in Thailand's 156 national parks, aiming to reduce plastic waste by three million pieces. Vendors within the parks are prohibited from using plastic items, and visitors are barred from bringing single-use plastics into park areas. However, single-use plastic water bottles are generally permitted, although some parks may require a refundable deposit, returned upon presenting the empty bottle to staff when exiting. The department’s income primarily comes from national park entrance fees, while park management costs are subsidized by the central government budget and fee revenue. Notably, a dual pricing system is in place, with significantly higher fees for non-Thai visitors, typically around 400% more than those for Thai nationals. In Thai, the agency is known as Krom Uthayaan Haeng Chaat Sat Pah Lae Phan Pheut. 回