The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is nearly ready to open an underwater trail, said to be the first of its kind in the country, at Mu Ko Chumphon National Park in the South.
The official opening is scheduled to take place sometime in the next few months. The underwater trail is a part of the department's goal of launching natural trails in all 155 national parks nationwide, said Songtham Suksawang, director of the department's National Park Office.
Mr Songtham said the department has currently completed a survey of Mu Ko Chumphon national park and has installed undersea signs detailing the types of coral reef and plants along the carefully selected route for divers.
"It's a vital way to communicate how important this marine ecology is to a variety of marine life. The marine park is regarded as the country's top diving site due to it being a habitat for a variety of species, including whales and stingrays," he said.
Mr Songtham said these trails are an excellent way to teach visitors about the particular ecology of each area.
He said the department plans to promote the natural trails in all the national parks that King Rama IX and the Queen Mother used to visit around the country.
One of the most widely known sites is Tham Luang cave in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in Chiang Rai province.
The cave became famous after 12 young footballers and their coach became trapped inside prompting a successful and widely covered international rescue mission last year.
Earlier, the department officially opened the 2.3 kilometre Thai-US Friendship Trail at Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima to commemorate 200 years of the two countries' diplomatic ties. The route harnesses digital technology to educate visitors about the various flora and fauna that can be found there.
So far, the feedback from the attraction has been positive, according to a representative of the department.