Minister Orders Youth Conservation Clubs, Upgrades Hiking Schools Nationwide

On October 31, 2026, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin visited the Khao Yai National Park Training Center to monitor the "Hiking School" program and provide guidelines for elevating conservation tourism, creating quality tourists, and expanding conservation knowledge to children and youth. He was welcomed by National Parks Department Director-General Yuth Naowiroj and senior officials.

Minister Suchat stated that the government prioritizes natural resource management alongside sustainable tourism promotion, particularly hiking activities that are growing in popularity. Proper knowledge of safety, conduct in natural areas, and environmental responsibility must be established to prevent tourism impacts on forests, wildlife, and ecosystems. The "Hiking School" serves as a key mechanism for creating quality tourists and embedding conservation consciousness.

He also ordered the National Parks Department to establish "Youth Clubs to Protect Forests, Mountains, Water, and Sea" in partnership with network allies, providing spaces for young people to learn about nature through hands-on field activities — akin to classrooms in the forest that transmit knowledge of natural resources, history, and the origins of each forest area. The goal is to foster love, care, and conservation awareness from a young age, building a new generation to safeguard the nation's natural resources.

Director-General Yuth noted that while hiking is increasingly popular, some tourists lack proper skills and understanding, leading to accident risks, litter problems, and ecosystem disturbance. The department has adopted the minister's approach, using Khao Yai — Thailand's first UNESCO Natural World Heritage site — as a pilot area to develop officials into "Conservation Hiking Teachers" who impart correct knowledge, skills, and awareness to visitors.

In fiscal year 2026, the department conducted six rounds of "Conservation Hiking Teacher Capacity Building" training in the field, covering 208 participants from 48 national parks and 20 wildlife sanctuaries. For fiscal year 2027, training will expand to cover officials from all 133 national parks nationwide. "Hiker" classrooms will also be established as learning centers for ecotourism and safe hiking, standardizing Thailand's hiking safety standards while encouraging greater youth participation in conservation.

Additionally, the minister inspected community enterprise operations in areas allocated under the National Land Policy Committee along national park boundaries. The department supports communities in selling agricultural products and local goods within national parks to expand market channels, generate public income, and strengthen community economies alongside conservation efforts.