Officials Order Permanent Closure of Khao Rabat Climbing Route
The Department of Forestry has permanently closed Khao Rabat in Chachoengsao province after officials agreed the protected parkland's safety risks outweighed benefits, citing repeated accidents and unauthorized use by content creators despi
The Department of Forestry has officially closed Khao Rabat to recreational use, banning motorcycle testing and social media content creation at the site. Officials stress that the route is not public road but protected parkland reserved solely for authorized aerial sports training as originally intended.
On September 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Nong Bua district, Chachoengsao province, district chief Somsak Chutawong, Paragliding Sports Association representatives, Deputy Police Colonel Piyawat Wongsraitong, forestry officials, and local municipal staff convened for over two hours to discuss controlling access to Khao Rabat in Village 4. Debate arose over the potential impact of a full closure, with some parties opposed, but three decision-making bodies—forestry officials, the sports association permit holder, and law enforcement—ultimately agreed closure was necessary due to numerous accidents outweighing benefits.
Local residents, speaking anonymously, reported that teenagers regularly accessed the site for content creation, causing noise disturbances and environmental damage. Despite previous barrier installations and key removals by officials, unauthorized groups have bypassed closures by breaking locks and finding alternate routes, attracting more content creators from outside the area seeking viral views. Residents urged authorities to enforce legal measures strictly to prevent ongoing disruption.
Following the meeting, the Paragliding Sports Association, forestry staff, and police visited the site to inspect barriers and agreed to install master locks that day. Officials warned that any breach of the closure will be treated as trespass and prosecuted under applicable law.
