Travel news - Eco tourism and national parks in Thailand

Falling for Erawan

Everything goes down at a National Park, except for the entrance fees. More often than not, visitors are left stranded at the visitor centre without a ranger in sight - let alone a map to reach for. Bad goes to worse for the poor soul who has to brave the toilets. The pungent smell, and then the sight that greets you, are obvious signs that a hiker has passed this way, marking his territory with more than just a footprint.
Tales of misadventure in Thailand's national parks have been an endless source of entertainment for visitors huddled around the campfire over the years. For anyone who has just returned from Erawan National Park however, the story might be different.
A 550-square-kilometre area of wooded mountains and valleys in Kanchanaburi province, Erawan National Park is only a three-hour drive away from Bangkok. It has just landed this year's Thailand Tourism Award for Best Tourist Attraction (Natural Sites). 
"We have been very successful in tackling the pollution problem," says Surachai Ajalaboon, the chief ranger. "Cars, for example, are prohibited from rumbling through the park - drivers have to leave them at the carparks provided. This policy has been extremely successful in reducing noise and air pollution."
Named after the triple-headed elephant Erawan, the mount of Indra in Hindu mythology, the area represents a kind of living museum, preserving the flora and fauna of a tropical rainforest. The centrepiece, however, is the Erawan Waterfall where seven cascades sweep down with a rush of white water over the course of two kilometres. No matter how many times you've been before, it's always hard to resist stripping down to your shorts and plunging in.
"Erawan Waterfall is one of the best natural spots to swim," says Surachai. "The crystal-clear water gushes in to hundreds of pools and there are no jagged rocks to worry about thanks to the limestone geology."
The park gets more than 100,000 visitors each year, taking a dip or just enjoying the laid-back hike over the waterfall trail.
The park is "zoned", with separate areas set aside for car parks, restaurants, accommodation and conservation, in order to manage the flow of visitors.
"Food is banned from the second cascade onwards to avoid the litter problem," adds Surachai. "As other vehicles are prohibited, we provide electrically-powered golf carts for travel through the park.
Apparently, the cart preserves the environment as much as the tempers of visitors who don't fancy walking the eight kilometres from the visitor centre to the waterfall.
Weekenders can pitch their tents at the campsite, where clean, modern toilets are just a stone's throw away.
Alternatively, they can rest their weary heads at the riverside lodge, where accommodation starts at Bt800 per night. The lodge is well equipped, with standard single beds, a refrigerator (a real fridge - not a mini-bar) and a microwave oven, making it ideal for a family outing over the weekend.
"Visitors can make reservations for the lodge on the Internet before paying through an
ATM machine," says Surachai.
Whether it's a relaxing hike over the five natural trails that wind around rainforest and waterfall or something more adventurous like mountain biking, kayaking or simply swimming, there are plenty of things to fill a weekend.
The Nation Oct.06