List of Protected Areas Regional Offices of Thailand

Since the beginning a century ago, forest management in Thailand has undergone many changes, in form of reclassifications, name changes and management changes. All this has resulted in a division of 16 regions with 5 branches in 2002. Five regions in Central-East with 28 national parks, four regions in the South with 39 national parks, four regions in the Northeast with 23 national parks and eight regions in the North with 65 national parks.

History Royal Forest Department was reclassified from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Kasettrathikarn in 1921. A 1932 revision by Royal Forest Department divided the forests in Thailand into 17 regions. An improvement in 1940 divided the forests in Thailand into 11 regions. A further improvement in 1952 was intended to establish 21 districts across the country, called "Forest Districts". A Royal Decree, no.119, issue 99kor, dated 2 October 2002 stated: Under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Royal Forest Department remains responsible for economic forestry work and a new Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is further established, which is divided into 16 regions with 5 branches for the conservation, promotion and restoration of natural resources, wildlife and plant species in forest areas.

Central-East As of 2022 the central and east of Thailand is divided into five regions with 28 national parks. Regional offices National parks   Responsible for provinces PARO 1 (Prachinburi)   4 Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Sa Kaeo and Buriram PARO 1 (Saraburi branch)   2 Lopburi and Saraburi PARO 2 (Si Racha)   7 Chonburi, Chachoengsao, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat PARO 3 (Ban Pong)   9 Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon and Suphan Buri PARO 3 (Phetchaburi branch)   6 Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan

Protected Areas Regional Office 1 (Prachinburi) Management overview PARO 1 (Prachinburi)

 National park  1 Khao Yai  2 Pang Sida  3 Ta Phraya  4 Thap Lan

Visitors to 4 national parks (2019) of PARO 1 (Prachinburi)

The total number of visitors to 4 national parks in 2019 is 1,669,000. Khao Yai has the largest number of visitors with 1,551,000 (93%). The next two national parks, with resp 58,000 and 57,000 visitors, have a total of 115,000 visitors (7%). Ta Phraya only has 3,000 visitors (0.2%).

Protected Areas Regional Office 1 (Saraburi branch) Management overview PARO 1 (Saraburi branch)

 National park  1 Namtok Chet Sao Noi  2 Namtok Sam Lan   Wildlife sanctuary  3 Sap Langka  Non-hunting area  4 Kaeng Khoi  5 Khao Erawan  6 Khao Somphot  7 Khao Wong Chan Daeng  8 Khuean Pasak Jolasid  9 Wat Phai Lom–Wat Amphu Wararam10 Wat Tan En   Botanical garden11 Phu Kae

Visitors to 2 national parks (2019) of PARO 1 (Saraburi branch)

The total number of visitors to 2 national parks in 2019 is 435,000. Namtok Chat Sao Noi has the largest number of visitors with 389,000 (90%). Namtok Sam Lan has 46,000 visitors (10%).

Protected Areas Regional Office 2 (Si Racha) Management overview PARO 2 (Si Racha)

 National park  1 Khao Chamao–Khao Wong  2 Khao Khitchakut  3 Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet  4 Khao Sip Ha Chan  5 Namtok Khlong Kaeo  6 Mu Ko Chang  7 Namtok Phlio  Wildlife sanctuary  8 Khao Ang Rue Nai  9 Khao Khio–Khao Chomphu10 Khao Soi Dao 11 Khlong Kruea Wai  Non-hunting area12 Bang Phra Reservoir13 Khao Chi On14 Khung Kraben   Forest park15 Khao Laem Sing16 Namtok Khao Chao Bo Thong

Visitors to 7 national parks (2019) of PARO 2 (Si Racha)

The total number of visitors to 7 national parks in 2019 is 3,975,000. Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet has the largest number of visitors with 1,620,000 (41%). Khao Khitchakut has 1,180,000 visitors (30%). Namtok Phlio has 671,000 visitors (17%). The next two national parks with 218,000 to 250,000 individually, have a total of 468,000 visitors (11%). The last two national parks with 10,000 to 26,000 individually, have a total of just 36,000 visitors (1%).

Protected Areas Regional Office 3 (Ban Pong) Management overview PARO 3 (Ban Pong)

 National park  1 Thai Prachan  2 Chaloem Rattanakosin  3 Erawan  4 Khao Laem   5 Khuean Srinagarindra  6 Lam Khlong Ngu  7 Phu Toei  8 Sai Yok  9 Thong Pha Phum  Wildlife sanctuary10 Mae Nam Phachi11 Salak Phra12 Thung Yai Naresuan West    Forest park22 Phra Thaen Dong Rang23 Phu Muang24 Tham Khao Noi  Non-hunting area13 Bueng Kroengkawia–Nong Sam Sap14 Bueng Chawak15 Khao Pratap Chang16 Phantai Norasing17 Somdet Phra Srinagarindra18 Tham Khang Khao–Khao Chong Phran19 Tham Lawa–Tham Daowadueng20 Wat Rat Sattha Kayaram21 Wat Tham Rakhang–Khao Phra Non

Visitors to 9 national parks (2019) of PARO 3 (Ban Pong)

The total number of visitors to 9 national parks in 2019 is 1,211,000. Erawan national park has the largest number of visitors with 651,000 (54%). The next three national parks with 112,000 to 145,000 individually, have a total of 374,000 visitors (31%). The next two national parks with 66,000 and 75,000 individually, have a total of 141,000 visitors (11%). The last three national parks with 4,000 to 32,000 individually, have a total of just 45,000 visitors (4%).

Protected Areas Regional Office 3 (Phetchaburi branch) Management overview PARO 3 (Phetchaburi branch)

 National park  1 Ao Siam  2 Hat Wanakon  3 Kaeng Krachan  4 Khao Sam Roi Yot   5 Kui Buri  6 Namtok Huai Yang  Wildlife sanctuary  7 Prince Chumphon North Park (upper) Non-hunting area  8 Cha-am  9 Khao Chaiyarat10 Khao Krapuk–Khao Tao Mo  Forest park11 Cha-am12 Huai Nam Sap13 Khao Nang Phanthurat14 Khao Ta Mong Lai15 Klang Ao16 Mae Ramphueng17 Pran Buri18 Thao Kosa

Visitors to 6 national parks (2019) of PARO 3 (Phetchaburi branch)

The total number of visitors to 6 national parks in 2019 is 379,000. Khao Sam Roi Yot national park has the largest number of visitors with 165,000 (44%). Kaen Krachan national park has 104,000 visitors (27%). The last four national parks with 19,000 to 43,000 visitors individually, have a total of 110,000 visitors (29%).

South As of 2022 the south of Thailand is divided into four regions with 39 national parks. Regional offices National parks   Responsible for provinces PARO 4 (Surat Thani)   11 Chumphon, Ranong and Surat Thani PARO 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat)     20 Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket and Satun PARO 6 (Songkhla)   3 Phatthalung, Songkhla and Trang PARO 6 (Pattani branch)   5 Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala

Protected Areas Regional Office 4 (Surat Thani) Management overview PARO 4 (Surat Thani)

 National park  1 Kaeng Krung  2 Khao Sok  3 Khlong Phanom  4 Laem Son  5 Lam Nam Kra Buri  6 Mu Ko Ang Thong  7 Mu Ko Chumphon  8 Mu Ko Ranong  9 Namtok Ngao10 Tai Rom Yen11 Than Sadet–Ko Pha-ngan  Wildlife sanctuary12 Khuan Mae Yai Mon13 Khlong Nakha14 Khlong Saeng15 Khlong Yan16 Prince ChumphonNorth Park (lower)17 Prince ChumphonSouth Park18 Thung Raya Na-Sak  Non-hunting area19 Khao Tha Phet20 Nong Thung Thong   Forest park21 Namtok Kapo

Visitors to 11 national parks (2019) of PARO 4 (Surat Thani)

The total number of visitors to 11 national parks in 2019 is 953,000. Khao Sok national park has the largest number of visitors with 419,000 (44%). The next three national parks with 126,000 to 158,000 individually, have a total of 418,000 visitors (44%). The next four national parks with 14,000 and 53,000 individually, have a total of 113,000 visitors (12%). The last three national parks with 500 to 2,000 individually, have a total of just 3,000 visitors (0.3%).

Protected Areas Regional Office 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat) Management overview PARO 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat)

 National park  1 Ao Phang Nga  2 Hat Chao Mai  3 Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai  4 Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi  5 Khao Lak–Lam Ru  6 Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang  7 Khao Luang  8 Khao Nan  9 Khao Phanom Bencha10 Mu Ko Lanta11 Mu Ko Phetra12 Mu Ko Similan13 Mu Ko Surin14 Namtok Si Khit15 Namtok Yong16 Si Phang Nga17 Sirinat18 Tarutao19 Thale Ban20 Than Bok Khorani  Wildlife sanctuary21 Kathun22 Khao Pra–Bang Khram23 Khlong Phraya24 Namtok Song Phraek  Non-hunting area25 Bo Lo26 Khao Nam Phrai27 Khao Phra Thaeo28 Khao Pra–Bang Khram29 Khlong Lam Chan30 Laem Talumpuk31 Ko Libong32 Nong Plak Phraya–Khao Raya Bangsa33 Thung Thale   Forest park34 Bo Namrong Kantang35 Namtok Phan36 Namtok Raman37 Namtok Thara Sawan38 Sa Nang Manora

Visitors to 20 national parks (2019) of PARO 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat)

The total number of visitors to 20 national parks in 2019 is 4,177,000. Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi national park has the largest number of visitors with 1,142,000 (27%). Ao Phang Nga national park has 999,000 visitors (24%). Mu Ko Similan national park has 677,000 visitors (16%). The next four national parks with 130,000 to 238,000 individually, have a total of 768,000 visitors (18%). The next seven national parks with 50,000 to 98,000 individually, have a total of 493,000 visitors (13%). The last six national parks with 7,000 to 24,000 individually, have a total of 98,000 visitors (2%).

Protected Areas Regional Office 6 (Songkhla) Management overview PARO 6 (Songkhla)

 National park  1 Khao Nam Khang  2 Khao Pu–Khao Ya  3 San Kala Khiri   Wildlife sanctuary  4 Khao Banthat  5 Ton Nga Chang  Non-hunting area   6 Khao Pachang–Laem Kham   7 Khao Reng   8 Pa Krat   9 Phru Khangkhaw 10 Thale Luang 11 Thale Noi 12 Thale Sap  Forest park 13 Khuan Khao Wang 14 Mueang Kao Chai Buri

Visitors to 3 national parks (2019) of PARO 6 (Songkhla)

The total number of visitors to 3 national parks in 2019 is 177,000. Khao Pu–Khao Ya national park has the largest number of visitors with 167,000 (94%). San Kala Khiri national park has 8,000 visitors (5%). Khao Nam Khang national park has 2,000 visitors (1%).

Protected Areas Regional Office 6 (Pattani branch) Management overview PARO 6 (Pattani branch)

 National park  1 Ao Manao–Khao Tanyong  2 Bang Lang  3 Budo-Su-ngai Padi  4 Namtok Sai Khao  5 Namtok Si Po  Wildlife sanctuary  6 Hala-Bala  7 Somdet Phra Thepparat  Non-hunting area   8 Pa Phru

Visitors to 5 national parks (2019) of PARO 6 (Pattani branch)

The total number of visitors to 5 national parks in 2019 is 274,000. Namtok Sai Khao national park has the largest number of visitors with 105,000 (38%). Ao Manao-Khao Ranyong national park has 96,000 visitors (35%). The next two national parks with 26,000 and 36,000 visitors individually, total 62,000 visitors (23%). Bang Lang national park has 11,000 visitors (4%).

Northeast As of 2022 the northeast of Thailand is divided into four regions with 23 national parks. Regional offices National parks   Responsible for provinces PARO 7 (Nakhon Ratchasima)     4 Buriram, Chaiyaphum and Nakhon Ratchasima PARO 8 (Khon Kaen)   6 Kalasin, Khon Kaen and Loei PARO 9 (Ubon Ratchathani)   6 Amnat Charoen, Mukdahan, Sisaket, Surin andUbon Ratchathani, Yasothon PARO 10 (Udon Thani)   7 Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu andNong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani

Protected Areas Regional Office 7 (Nakhon Ratchasima) Management overview PARO 7 (Nakhon Ratchasima)

 National park  1 Pa Hin Ngam  2 Phu Laenkha  3 Sai Thong  4 Tat Ton   Wildlife sanctuary  5 Dong Yai  6 Pha Phueng  7 Phu Khiao  Non-hunting area  8 Angkepnam Huai Chorakhe Mak  9 Angkepnam Huai Talat10 Angkepnam Sanambin11 Bueng Lahan12 Khao Phaeng Ma13 Lam Nang Rong14 Nong Waeng15 Pa Khao Phu Luang16 Phu Khao Fai Kradong  Forest park17 Khao Kradong

Visitors to 4 national parks (2019) of PARO 7 (Nakhon Ratchasima)

The total number of visitors to 4 national parks in 2019 is 640,000. Tat Ton has the largest number of visitors with 389,000 (61%). The next two national parks, with 94,000 and 106,000 visitors, have a total of 200,000 visitors (31%). Sai Thong has a total of 51,000 visitors (8%).

Protected Areas Regional Office 8 (Khon Kaen) Management overview PARO 8 (Khon Kaen)

 National park  1 Nam Phong  2 Phu Kradueng  3 Phu Pha Man  4 Phu Ruea  5 Phu Suan Sai  6 Phu Wiang   Wildlife sanctuary  7 Phu Kho–Phu Kratae  8 Phu Luang