Khao Yai Water Hole Project: Luring Wildlife Back to Forest to Reduce Human Conflict

Matichon•General•6h ago

Reader Briefing

The National Parks Department is implementing the 'Khao Yai Water Hole' project to attract wildlife back to deeper forest areas and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.

•The National Parks Department is advancing the 'Khao Yai Water Hole' project.
•The project aims to draw wildlife, particularly wild elephants, into deeper forest areas.
•This initiative seeks to reduce conflicts between humans and wildlife around Khao Yai National Park.
•Construction of a 3,000 cubic meter water source was completed in 2025, and two more are planned for 2026.

Overview

•On February 17, officials visited Khao Yai National Park to follow up on the 'Wildlife Water Source Creation Project'.
•Yotthawat Thiensawat, Director of Conservation Area Administration Office 1 (Prajean Buri), stated that creating water sources is a key strategy to lure wildlife back into deep forests.
•A 3,000 cubic meter water source was constructed at Pha Tabaek in 2025, and wildlife is actively using it.
•The project aims to resolve human-wildlife conflict by preventing animals from disturbing agricultural areas and residences.
•The plan for 2026 includes constructing two additional 3,000 cubic meter water sources in the Khao Khiao grassland area.
•The project is part of the Eastern Region 2 Provincial Group's operational plan, aiming to restore peace to communities bordering the forest.
•The National Parks Department is committed to developing both food and water sources within the park for improved wildlife quality of life and public safety.
•The project is intended to reduce disturbance to agricultural land and residential areas by wild animals.

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Key Quotes

Yotthawat Thiensawat

"Creating water sources within the park is a key strategy to attract wildlife, especially wild elephants and herbivores, back to forage in the deep forest instead of disturbing agricultural areas and residences, which is a concrete solution to human-wildlife conflict."

โครงการสร้างแหล่งน้ำภายในอุทยานฯ เป็นยุทธศาสตร์สำคัญในการดึงดูดให้สัตว์ป่า โดยเฉพาะช้างป่าและสัตว์กินพืช กลับไปหากินในเขตป่าลึกแทนการออกมารบกวนพื้นที่เกษตรกรรมและที่พักอาศัยของประชาชน ซึ่งเป็นการแก้ปัญหาความขัดแย้งระหว่างคนกับสัตว์ป่าอย่างเป็นรูปธรรม

Key Entities

Organization

National Parks Department(อุทยานฯ)

The organization responsible for implementing the 'Khao Yai Water Hole' project.

Conservation Area Administration Office 1 (Prajean Buri)(สำนักบริหารพื้นที่อนุรักษ์ที่ 1 (ปราจีนบุรี))

An administrative office within the National Parks Department involved in the project.

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation(กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช)

The overarching department overseeing wildlife and park management, including this project.

Eastern Region 2 Provincial Group(กลุ่มจังหวัดภาคตะวันออก 2)

The group of provinces whose operational plan includes the Wildlife Water Source Creation Project.

Person

Yotthawat Thiensawat(นายยศวัฒน์ เธียรสวัสดิ์)

Director of Conservation Area Administration Office 1 (Prajean Buri), who explained the project's strategy.

Chana Thip Khok Ma Nee(นายชนาธิป โคกมณี)

Deputy Governor of Prajean Buri who joined the site visit.

Place

Prajean Buri Province(จังหวัดปราจีนบุรี)

The province where the 'Wildlife Water Source Creation Project' is being followed up on.

Khao Yai National Park(อุทยานแหงชาติเขาใหญ่)ℹ️

The national park where the 'Khao Yai Water Hole' project is being implemented.

Pha Tabaek(ผาตะแบก)

The location within Khao Yai National Park where a 3,000 cubic meter water source was successfully constructed in 2025.

Khao Khiao grassland(ทุ่งหญ้าเขาเขียว)

The specific area within Khao Yai National Park where two new water sources are planned for construction in 2026.

Timeline

2025(ปี 2025)

The year in which a 3,000 cubic meter water source was constructed and is being utilized by wildlife.

2026(ปี 2026)

The year in which two additional 3,000 cubic meter water sources are planned to be constructed.