The chief ranger continued by saying staff manning gateways to Khao Yai had received strict instructions that allowed them to prohibit any motorcyclists riding bikes that did not meet criteria from entry. He said the ban was necessary as loud exhausts disturbed other visitors and also detracted from the natural setting.
Khao Yai features a mountainous terrain and temperatures over the past few weeks have dropped to around 11°C at times. The opportunity of experiencing weather that is almost wintery in a tropical country has proved a major tourism draw over recent decades.
This year is no exception and staff at Khao Yai say record numbers of tourists have already visited. The number is expected to increase considerably over the new year as the national government is waiving entry fees for domestic tourists to all national parks on 31 December and 1 January.
Ranger Srinoppawan says bungalows and other lodgings in Khao Yai are booked through to well into January. He finished off by saying rangers had already demarcated three large areas for campers who had not booked any other accommodation.
Thai national park bars noisy, big motorbikes
News in AsiaThe chief ranger of Thailand’s most popular national park has announced a blanket ban on noisy motorcycles. Khao Yai National Park boss Kanchit Srinoppawan said the ban applied to all motorcycles with large engines as well as those that had been customised to make them louder.