Open AccessThe COVID-19 Pandemic's Effect on Marine National Parks in Thailand
Author(s) -
Onag Cheablam,
Utai Dachyosdee,
Sonthaya Purintarapiban
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tourism in marine environments
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.291
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 2169-0197
pISSN - 1544-273X
DOI - 10.3727/154427321x16370266800868
Subject(s) - national park , tourism , fishing , pandemic , coral reef , geography , seagrass , fishery , revenue , covid-19 , environmental protection , business , environmental resource management , socioeconomics , ecology , environmental science , habitat , medicine , disease , archaeology , accounting , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , biology , sociology
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment, including coral reefs, seagrasses, terrestrial/aquatic animals, waste/sewage, and the economy of 27 marine national parks and four marine national park operations centers. Structured interviews were employed in this study. The results from national park officers indicated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, natural resources, such as coral, seagrass, and terrestrial/aquatic animals, had recovered and become more productive since animals in the area were observed. In addition, the amount of waste in the area has decreased; however, some national parks still have problems with marine debris. In contrast, the economic findings indicated that the number of tourists, both Thai and foreign, has decreased, reducing the total national park revenue by THB 1,507,681,302 (US$50,256,043). Our research shows that there is an important association between the reduction of tourists and environmental quality. In addition, a reduction in revenue may impact the environment through illegal logging and fishing. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, technology should be used for surveys in the national parks, regularly informing budget support from the government, and tourism management.