In a somber turn of events, Doi Phu Nang National Park, nestled in the serenity of Phayao province, has been forced to close its gates indefinitely. This picturesque slice of wilderness, renowned for its sweeping mountain vistas and thriving wildlife ecosystems, is now faced with a staggering surge in wildfires. According to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), this decision was made after a careful assessment of the potential risks posed by these uncontrolled blazes, which have painted the skies in dancing flames and billowing smoke as of yesterday, March 25, 2025.
Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the dedicated Director-General of the DNP, elaborated on this grim yet necessary measure. “To allow nature its much-needed respite and curtail the ongoing threat of fire, we see no other course than closing the park temporarily,” he announced with determined resolve. The park has seen its tranquility shattered by the emergence of 557 hotspots since October 1, 2024. This alarming number illustrates a 38.9 percent jump compared to the previous year, a trend that is undeniably troubling for both conservationists and nature enthusiasts alike.
A deep dive into the cause behind these fiery outbreaks points fingers at human activities, particularly villagers who have resorted to setting the forest ablaze for reasons ranging from illegal hunting to the collection of wild mushrooms—a practice that has proven catastrophic in recent months. In a bid to combat this fiery foe, the DNP has rallied an army of 97 park rangers joined by 180 fire prevention volunteers, all eager to stamp out the embers before they can grow into infernos.
The message to anyone daring to defy the park’s closure is crystal clear: those caught igniting fires or trespassing will face the unwavering arm of the law. As per the National Park Act, such individuals could find themselves behind bars for up to 20 years, along with fines reaching up to 2 million baht. The financial repercussions might extend even further with civil lawsuits demanding penalties up to 120,000 baht per rai, all based on the value of the precious forest resources lost to the flames.
Legal actions have already been initiated against 21 suspects implicated in forest fire incidents, impacting over 2,772 rai since October alone. This vast expanse of land, equivalent to 740 square kilometers, stretches across the forested terrains of Dok Khamtai, Pong, and Chiang Mueang districts. It is a sanctuary that hosts a myriad of fascinating wildlife, from the leisurely paddle of soft-shelled turtles to the majestic glide of peacocks beneath the emerald canopy.
The indefinite closure of Doi Phu Nang National Park underscores the delicate balancing act that Thailand’s national parks must perform. They are caught between their noble conservation goals and the multifaceted pressures of human encroachment, all the while striving to protect their fragile beauty from fire’s ravenous maw. As these fires have shown, the cost of inaction is far too high, and for now, at least, the park must remain a forbidden realm, waiting for a time when peace can be restored.
It’s heartbreaking to see such a beautiful park like Doi Phu Nang close indefinitely. Can’t believe humans are behind this madness; shouldn’t we learn to coexist peacefully?
While I agree, it’s a bit idealistic. Those villagers rely on the forest for their livelihood. It’s a complex issue that needs sustainable solutions, not just blame.
True, but there must be a way to balance those needs without torching the entire forest. More education and regulation could help maybe?
Finally, some strict laws! People need to face consequences for their actions. A 20-year jail term might be extreme but is necessary for deterrence.
Isn’t that too harsh, though? Some of these folks do this out of desperation and survival. A 20-year sentence is just inhumane.
Desperation should not result in ecological disaster. We must protect the environment before there’s nothing left to save.
Who’s gonna stop these fires now? Volunteers don’t seem enough to handle almost 600 hotspots. Government needs to step it up!
I think the collaborative effort between rangers and volunteers is a good initiative. But you’re right, more resources from the government would help.
Will the peacocks be okay in all this? It’s their home too, and the fires could be devastating to the local wildlife.
Wildlife always suffers first unfortunately. I hope the park has evacuation plans in place for the animals.
My family was planning to visit next month. I’m sad it’s closed but safety first, right? I just wish people understood the impact of their actions.
As a former park ranger, this is heartbreaking but sometimes necessary. Nature needs time to heal, and improper human intervention only exacerbates the situation.
Thank you for your perspective, Rick. It’s important to hear from those who have been on the frontline.
Why isn’t there more focus on reforestation after the fires? Rebuilding the ecosystem should be the priority once it’s safe.
Reforestation is crucial, totally agree! However, getting to that stage requires dealing with immediate threats first.
Does this mean the tourism industry around the area will suffer? There has to be a balance between conservation and people’s livelihoods.
Tourism will undoubtedly be affected. Local guides and businesses must be devastated right now.
Time to teach people about responsible foraging and sustainable use of forest resources. Change has to come from within the communities.
Climate change is partly to blame. Increased temperatures and dry conditions are making these fires more frequent and intense.
But we can’t control the weather. Seems like focusing on man-made causes is a more immediate concern.
What about involving more fire control technology? Drones with infrared could potentially help pinpoint hotspots quickly.
Military-grade tech could definitely have its advantages here, but funding and training are ongoing obstacles.
The penalties seem just; protection of the environment can’t be compromised. Strict enforcement is the deterrent we need.
Wish we had more global attention on this phenomenon. It’s not just a local issue but part of a global environmental crisis.
Closing the park is reactive, not proactive. Address the root causes! What about better forest management and alternative livelihoods for locals?
I hope this serves as a wake-up call for proper funding and policy reforms in natural resource management in Thailand.
This is tragic, but where are these people supposed to go? They can’t just move to the city. Rural areas need support and opportunities.
Education programs can’t come soon enough. Getting into schools to change future generations’ outlook is crucial.
We need more media coverage on this issue. It’s frustrating that it doesn’t make the headlines it deserves.