ZOOS / ANIMAL WELFARE
Water fun-park plan draws fire
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
The Zoological Park Organisation's plan to build a water amusement park at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo is worrying wildlife advocates. Sophon Dumnui, director-general of the organisation, yesterday unveiled plans to set aside 20 rai of the 545-rai zoo in Nakhon Ratchasima for a 50-million-baht water amusement park.
It will be the country's first fun park in a state-run zoo. Construction is due for completion by the end of next year.
''The park will give visitors more options for spending leisure time, particularly in summer. Visitors can have a good time at the park as well as learning about animals,'' he said.
Entrance would be free.
The interim government has allocated a budget for improving five zoos under the Zoological Park Organisation, in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Songkhla. The budget also covers construction of a new zoo in Ubon Ratchathani.
However, wildlife protection advocate Roger Lohanan, of the Thai Animal Guardian Association, criticised the plan, which he said was purely money-driven as the agency wanted to boost the number of visitors.
''In principle, a zoo and an amusement park have different objectives and should be kept separate.''
Environmentalist Hannarong Yaowaloes said the park should be kept at a distance, so the animals are not annoyed by the noise.
The zoo would have to adhere to strict zoning rules.
Bangkok Post