Khao Yai National Park, near Bangkok, Thailand now mails tourists their trash back if they litter. Founded in 1962 the park is the oldest in the country and the third-largest covering 837 square miles. It is part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is known for its diverse mammals, reptiles, and birds as well as stunning waterfalls.
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Tourists are now threatening species such as great hornbills, gibbons, and pit vipers with the trash they leave behind. According to park officials, they are now sending litter back to visitors if they do not clean up after themselves. One park official told Thai media, “…I will mail every piece of trash as a souvenir to tourists.”
Trash littering national parks, forests, and other outdoor recreating sights is unfortunately fairly common. From the shores of Lake Tahoe to the peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park tourists are leaving trash everywhere here in the US. While it is great that more people are adventuring into the outdoors people need to pick up after themselves. Everyone enjoying nature should know, and abide by, the Leave no Trace principals. If you don’t maybe mailing your trash back to you will send the right message.
