Protection and management requirements
The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, consisting of four National Parks and one Wildlife Sanctuary, is the property of the Government of Thailand and is covered by strong legislation covering both National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The four National Parks - Ta Phraya, Thap Lan, Pang Sida and Khao Yai - were declared under the National Parks Act B.E 2504 (1961) and the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary was declared under the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act B.E. 2535 (1992). The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) currently manages both National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries and the complex is administered by two regional administration offices under the supervision of the World Heritage Committee set up by the DNP.
To protect the ecology and meet the management objectives of the property on recreation, research, and public education, while conserving the values, for which the property was inscribed, the management plan for Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex was put in place. In addition, Protected Areas Committees, comprised of representatives from the management agency, local communities and stakeholders, have been set up to advise on the implementation of the management plan, including issues related to public participation in protected areas management. To maintain long-term conservation of natural resources and keep ecosystems in Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex intact and healthy, the Thai Government has committed to on-going investment in enhancing protection in the property, including the provision of adequate staffing numbers, equipment and annual budgetary allocation.
Impacts from road use and development, tourism, poaching, and land incursion, conversion and separation are significant threats to long-term conservation of the property. Heavy use on existing roads and resulting development present potential threats to the natural values of the complex, separating important areas within the complex and creating barriers to maintaining connectivity. To assist in addressing these issues, the Thai Government and managing agencies are taking positive measures such as creating connectivity corridors, building up community conservation awareness, and enforcing legislation and laws.
Impacts from increasing tourism, especially during peak visitation periods, often place intense pressure on facilities and management, especially within Khao Yai National Park, which receives considerably higher numbers of visitors than other sections of the complex. Implementing complex-wide tourism plans, setting limits on the number of people allowed in the park and alternative strategies to bring people into the area are being investigated and developed to deal with the increasing pressures from tourists.