The move is designed to help better management of the parks, and also to crackdown on possible corruption. Authorities have found that receipts from park entry fees have not aligned with the number of visitors recorded.
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has revealed plans to introduce an e-ticketing system at marine locations.
The move is designed to help better management of the parks, and also to crackdown on possible corruption. Authorities have found that receipts from park entry fees have not aligned with the number of visitors recorded.
"There will no longer be walk-in tourists at top marine park destinations soon. The e-tickets will serve as a department tool to control and limit the number of tourists," said DNP director, Songtham Suksawang.
A committee would select counter-service agents to sell e-tickets, the Bangkok Post reported. Currently, there are three bidding contenders: 7-Eleven stores, Krungthai Bank, and Siam Commercial Bank.
E-tickets will be rolled out first at Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi Marine National Park in Krabi province, Ao Phangnga National Park and Mu Koh Similan National Park in Phangnga province.
The department also intends to hold discussions for stakeholders, to share ideas on how to improve national park management and e-ticket distribution.
Songtham insisted online reservations would not be dominated by tourism operators, saying the department would ensure everyone had fair access to the distribution system.