KANCHANABURI, THAILAND – The renowned Erawan National Park in western Thailand was closed indefinitely due to severe forest fires and hazardous air pollution that threatened visitors and staff.
Total closure amid air quality emergency
The park had been completely sealed off from 1 p.m. on 21 April 2026 for both day visitors and overnight guests. Fine dust pollution (PM2.5) rose to a worrying 42.9 micrograms per cubic metre, clearly exceeding safety standards.
Park director Phiphat Chimpli said the air quality had become unsafe for everyone in the area, including tourists and employees. Existing fire damage was already reported in several parts of the park.
“The air quality has become dangerous for both tourists and park staff.”
said Phiphat Chimpli, park director.
Forest fires out of control
Conditions in the Kanchanaburi region had worsened significantly in recent days. Multiple forest areas inside Erawan National Park were burning and producing massive clouds of smoke.
Authorities shifted their focus entirely to firefighting and rescue operations. All tourist activities were suspended for an indefinite period.
Staff redirected to firefighting
Park employees were withdrawn from visitor services and assigned to support fire brigade and rescue teams. The move aimed to bring the spreading fires under control more quickly.
At the same time, officials worked to stabilise the most threatened zones and limit environmental damage. A return to normal operations was only expected after a comprehensive safety inspection.
Public kept informed
The park administration coordinated closely with provincial authorities in Kanchanaburi to inform all visitors and tour operators about the closure. Updates were provided through the park’s official Facebook page.
People with existing bookings were urged to contact park officials in good time. Reopening would only be considered once the air quality had returned to normal levels and all fires were fully extinguished.
Erawan waterfalls temporarily out of reach
Erawan National Park, known for its seven-tiered waterfall system, is one of Thailand’s most popular excursion destinations and attracted tens of thousands of visitors each year. The shutdown hit tourism businesses and travel operators hard.
The park was also a key draw for hikers and nature photographers. Travellers planning a trip to Kanchanaburi were advised to check the situation beforehand and consider alternative destinations.
Your view
The closure raised broader questions about recurring forest fires and air pollution in Thailand. Debate continued over whether the country should invest more in prevention and forest protection to avoid similar shutdowns of protected areas in the future.
Readers were encouraged to share their perspectives on how to better safeguard national parks and manage the growing environmental risks.