Wildlife park in Khon Kaen to be open
By Mayuree Akraban
The Nation
Khon Kaen
Published on April 28, 2009



The Zoological Park Organisation will spend Bt2.5 billion to develop a wildlife park in Khon Kaen to boost tourism in the upper Northeast and neighbouring countries.

The ZPO yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Khon Kaen Provincial Administration Organisation to jointly establish the wildlife park on 4,700 rai of land in the Khao Suan Kwang National Park and Non Saad National Park in Udon Thani.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti had asked the ZPO to survey the area for a future wildlife park.

"The Khao Suan Kwang National Park will host an educational park, wildlife conservation centre and wildlife captivebreeding centre. It will have a jungle park under the concept of sufficiency economy, so this park can stimulate tourism and employment in the province.

"The Khao Suan Kwang Wildlife Park will boost tourism in the upper Northeast and also Laos. The park could be opened as a natural educational centre by the end of this year," Suwit said.

ZPO director Sophon Damnui said the selling points of the Khao Suan Kwang Wildlife Park were the aquarium, water park and playground.

The ZPO would work to educate the residents on the objectives of the wildlife park.

The agency will also prepare the design of the park facility, the water source management plan and national park management.

The process of creating understanding and drafting the design for the park facility should be finished within three months before construction starts, he said.

When the Bt2.5 billion wildlife park opens for business in three years, it will benefit people in the area, he said.

Their land will become more valuable because investors will purchase sites to develop as resorts or restaurants, while local residents can start a business to serve the tourists.

The park will create employment, initially hiring more than 300 staff.

douglas wrote:Hi,
Ron it states clearlly "wildlife park opens for business in three years"
Cheers Doug.