Erawan National Park closes as wildfires and haze worsen

Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi province has announced an immediate but temporary closure to all tourists and overnight campers as raging wildfires and hazardous air quality continue to grip the area.

The closure order, signed by Erawan National Park chief Pipat Chimplee, took effect yesterday at 1pm and will remain in place until the situation improves. The closure was enacted under Sections 20 and 25 of the National Park Act (2019).

The decision follows a sustained period of forest fires and thick haze that have pushed fine airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) to dangerous levels.

According to park officials, the average 24-hour concentration of PM2.5 in the area reached 42.9 μg/m³, a level deemed harmful to the health of both visitors and park personnel.

The announcement cited the need to prioritise public safety and allow park rangers to focus fully on fire suppression efforts.

Park officials said the wildfire crisis and smog have reached a point where it is no longer safe for recreational activities, with personnel needing to be fully deployed to combat the blazes and prevent further environmental damage.

The park will remain off-limits to the public, with all tourism and camping activities temporarily suspended until conditions improve and air quality returns to safe levels.

Firefighters and rescue workers remain on the ground to battle the fires and closely monitor the situation, while working to speed up the recovery of the landscape so it can safely reopen to visitors.

Erawan National Park, famous for its seven-tiered emerald-green waterfall, is one of the most popular natural attractions in western Thailand.

Travellers who had planned visits are advised to monitor official park updates for any changes in the situation.