More than 100 boat operators who serve tourists visiting Hat Nopparat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi Marine National Park blockaded piers there yesterday. They claimed the high cost of admission was deterring tourists from visiting and therefore their livelihoods were at risk.
The current fees for foreign tourists were set 10 years ago and are THB400 for adults and THB200 for children. Thai adults only pay THB40 per visit and children THB20. The demonstrators said THB200 and THB100 for foreign adults and children respectively were fairer.
Mr Netithammakun stated that the entry fees were appropriate and the DNP would not accede to any demands for changes as this could trigger protests at other national parks. He explained that the problem was not a reduction in the number of tourists visiting but an increase in the number of boats.
Hat Nopparat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi is one of the top draws for tourists visiting the Andaman Sea region around Phuket, Krabi and Koh Phi Phi. 12GO ASIA offers multiple ticketing choices, which cater to all budgets, for travel to the region.
Thai National Parks Department refuses to lower Phi Phi entry fees
News in Asia
The director of Thailand’s Department of National Parks (DNP) says the entry fees for Hat Nopparat-Phi Phi will not be reduced. Thanya Netithammakun told reporters that despite a large scale protest the charges would remain as they were.