He carried on by saying violators could be slapped with a THB1,000 fine and risked being jailed for one month. The department already has banners proclaiming the rules and will be putting them up in parks nationwide before the start of the New Year holidays.
Thailand’s national parks were originally designated alcohol-free zones seven years ago, but the ruling has not been strictly enforced up to now. It was introduced in response to a fight started by drunken visitors at Khao Yai National Park which saw a student fatally knifed.
12GO ASIA notes that Director Netithammakun says alcohol is as much a risk to life and damage to park property now as it was when the regulation was first introduced. The team explains that the Parks Department’s hotline number is 1362 for those who spot visitors flouting the alcohol ban.
Crackdown on alcohol at Thailand national parks
News in Asia
The director of Thailand’s National Parks Department has issued a warning saying a no-alcohol rule will be rigidly applied. Thanya Netithammakun says rangers have been given orders telling them to ask visitors caught drinking alcoholic drinks in parks under the department’s jurisdiction to leave.