Thai National Park Returns Trash of Campers by Mail

Park officials of Khao Yai National Park just had enough of tourists who leave their litter behind. Park officials recently mailed a boxful of junk back to the rubbish offender.

Return Trash Back

In a Facebook post, Thailand's Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-Archa, Thailand's Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-Archa warned visitors who leave their garbage at the park.

"I will pick up every single piece of your trash, pack them well in a box and mail it to your home as a souvenir," the post said.

The picture also showed a tent full of rubbish, such as discarded plastic bottles and other litter.

The next day, Varawut disclosed that he did what he posted. The post said that the garbage has been packed in a box and ready for sending to the offender.

The post showed a packed box full of trash, ready for shipping with the marked down address of the offender and a note which says, "You have forgotten some of your belongings at the Khao Yai National Park, please let us return these to you.".

Offenders are fined with 500,000 Thai Baht (approximately US $16,000) and may get a prison sentence for up to five years or both.

Varawut said that the offenders would also have a record with the police.

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How They Tracked the Litterbug

The park, which was known for its diverse wildlife and lush forest, has long blamed tourists for leaving their litters behind after a visit to the park, spoiling the place's beauty.

Park authorities tracked the offenders from the accomplished rental equipment forms they signed and a prescription bottle left in the tent.

Park officials also blacklisted the visitor from returning to the park for an overnight visit.

Following this incident, park authorities will require visitors to the park to register their addresses to make it easier to track trash offenders.

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Khao Yai National Park

The park, which covers 2,168 km2 covering rain/evergreen forests and grassland, is the oldest national park in Thailand and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The park is within the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex and is the refuge of various wildlife.

On July 1, the park reopened to the public after the lockdown brought about by the pandemic but with visitors limited only to 5,000. The lockdown was a refreshing time for the animals there as park authorities report that when the park was closed, elephants were seen returning to their old paths while the Asian black bear and guar also got out of their hiding places and started to venture out.

Meanwhile, the Thai tourism board lauded the efforts of Varawut and the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. Authorities also stressed that littering poses a danger to wild animals as they tend to eat it while searching for food.

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