Management Towards a Healthy Environment in a National Park at the Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the situation of environmental health
management of the national park at Chaiyaphum province and tourists’ opinions
toward the environmental health management. The study was conducted in 3
national parks at the Chaiyaphum province during October 2010 to March 2011.
The scope of environmental health in this research was related to food sanitation,
drinking water, wastes, toilets and safety. It was found that 1 restaurant did not
reach the requirements for a general standard of environmental health and 76.9%
of 39 food stalls did not meet these requirements as well. 33.3% of the hands of the
restaurant staff were contaminated with coliform bacteria and 15.4% of the food
being served in restaurants as well as 11.1% of containers and equipment were also
contaminated. The situation was worse for food stalls. Coliform bacteria
contamination was found in 49.7% of food items sold by food stalls, also on 47.4%
of the hands of the stall staff and in 44.4% of containers and on the equipment used.
Drinking water was available at service points and the water supply system was
connected to the points. Most solid waste included plastic bags, foams
and food scraps. In two out of three places, waste was disposed by incineration and
another one disposed wastes by landfill. The problem of separating wastes usually
occurred during the high tourist season. The toilets were available separately for
men and women and also for disabled people. The available toilets were insufficient
in the high tourist season. For preventing accidents, warning signs had been set up.
In addition stairs, walking ways, and rails at dangerous spots had been erected.
According to tourists’ opinions towards the environmental health management, it
was found that provision of water was adequate but food sanitation, waste
management, toilet management and safety were neither very good nor very bad.
In conclusion it is recommended that the national parks should develop the toilet
facilities first. The national parks should adequately provide trashcans. Also to
promote growing awareness towards the environment in tourist places is
recommended.