Stakeholder engagement in pre-closure planning for marine national park resource restoration

Conflicts between biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism are increasingly problematic in protected areas globally. The investigation centers on Hat Chao Mai National Park in Trang Province, Thailand. This area has been declared as the 45th ASEAN Heritage Site and the 5th heritage site in Thailand that attracts a large number of tourists. This study employs semi-structured interviews with stakeholders to explore their perceptions of the trade-offs between national park closure and socio-economic impacts. Various factors play a role in agreement to accept a temporary halt due to the park closure, such as the recovery of the tourism site and awareness of the ecological significance of the park. Stakeholders appreciate the importance of ecosystems as destinations for natural tourism and recreation, sources of food, habitats for young and rare species, and regulators of natural processes. Policy recommendation suggests a balanced approach that integrates conservation initiatives with economic viability.