Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mrs. Anongwan Thepsutin (อนงค์วรรณ เทพสุทิน), points out that entrepreneurs will be required to comply with conditions and regulations to run their businesses in national parks in Thailand.

Mrs. Anongwan says at the moment, private investors are still not allowed to conduct businesses in the parks as the ministry is still evaluating investment details prior to requesting the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department to issue permission to interested entrepreneurs.

Mrs. Anongwan affirms the ministry will take the environmental consequences into account and additional regulations will be imposed in order to prevent the exploitation of existing natural resources in the national parks. She says one of the measures may require entrepreneurs to help grow trees in the park as well.

In terms of the progress of recent amendment of the National Park Bill, Permanent Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Saksit Tridet (ศักดิ์สิทธิ์ ตรีเดช) states that the attorney office of the ministry has received opinions and comments from all sides, adding that the modification has reached the final process.

Mr. Saksit says a public hearing regarding the bill amendment was made amongst academics and NGO officials, adding that its completion is scheduled to complete by the end of September 2008.

Source : National News Bureau, Public Relations Department of Thailand