The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is considering moving tigers from a central plains sanctuary to Khao Yai where they have not been seen for a decade.
Minister Surasak Karnjanarat said on Wednesday that academics had suggested that a certain number of tigers be taken from the Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani province and transported to the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex in the Northeast.
Staff of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation informed him there had been no traces of tigers nor any photographs taken of evidence in the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex for years. That might have been the result of hunting and nearby community settlements.
A tiger population in the forest complex could keep the ecological balance, especially when it came to control of the growing population of deer there, Gen Surasak said.
"We will study the possibility. In terms of conservation, it is good to keep the balance of nature. But we are still concerned about the safety of the communities. We will do it if we are sure that there is not a negative impact," the minister said.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation reported that more than 100 wild tigers lived in the Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, which is considered the largest habitat of tigers in Southeast Asia.
Active protection had resulted in the growth in the population. Wild tigers in Huai Kha Khaeng have reportedly expanded their territories to the Mae Wong National Park in nearby Nakhon Sawan province.
Kanchit Srinoppawan, chief of the Khao Yai National Park, said tigers had once roamed freely through the forest but there had been no sign of them for 10 years.
He said officials were looking at ways to repopulate the forest with tigers and will study issues like sources of food and the safety of tourists and local residents.
The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex covers four national parks and a wildlife sanctuary in six provinces -- Buri Ram, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo and Sara Buri.