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thailandBiodiversity Resources

  • 20,000 - 25,000 species of plants
  • 10,000 - 15,000 flower species
  • 9,441 vascular plants
  • 2,154 non-vascular plants
  • 294 species of mammals
  • 962 species of birds
  • 325 species of reptiles
  • 141 species of amphibian
  • 570 species of freshwater fishes 1,531 species of estuarine and marine fishes

Ratification of MEAs

  • CBD – 2004
  • CITES – 1983
  • WHC – 1987
  • Ramsar Convention – 1998
  • Cartagena Protocol – 2006

Description

Orchidaceae is the most diverse plant species. There are about 160 genera, and 1,116 species of which 177 species are endemic to Thailand. 

Thailand is one of the countries with the richest biodiversity in Southeast Asia. With its climatic diversity, topographic complexity, long coastline (2,710 km), and extensive fringing reef systems, the Kingdom is endowed with a wild variety of floral and faunal habitats and rich biodiversity.  The country lies within the two major biogeographical regions, the Indochinese region in the North and the Sundiac region in the South. However, its flora and fauna are also influenced by Indian and Palearctic biogeographical regions. These have resulted in six biogeographical units: North Highland, Korat Plateau, Central Plain of the Chao Phraya River, Southeast Upland, Tenassarim Hills, and Southern Peninsula.  As a result, Thailand is home to 8-10% of all plant and animal varieties in the world.

The National Parks of Thailand are government restricted areas created by the Royal Forest Department and implemented following the B.E. 2504 National Park Act.  This law aims to preserve and protect all existing natural resources such as fauna and flora including landscape, forest and mountains by avoiding damage from land reformation or detrimental activities.

Through the enactment of several laws and regulations, Thailand now has a total of 103 national parks covering a total area of 52,782.20 square kilometers or 10.27% of the country’s total area. Of these national parks, four (4) are ASEAN Heritage Parks.  These are:

  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Mu Ko Surin – Mu Ko Similan Marine National Parks
  • Tarutao Marine National Park

Three parks are undergoing nomination process as ASEAN Heritage Parks: Had Chao Mai Marine National Park, Mu Ko Libong Non-Hunting Area, Mu Ko Ang – Thong National Park

 

 

Sources:

  • Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning Thailand:  Third National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. 
  • Thailand Country Report.  2nd ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference.  Sabah, Malaysia.