A Chiang Mai-based animal feed network is demanding the government hold a public hearing on its controversial plan to transfer Chiang Mai Night Safari to the Zoological Park Organisation, a move it claims will affect local businesses.
The 12-year-old zoo, which offers a nighttime animal sightseeing tour, is currently overseen by the state-owned Pingkanakorn Development Agency.
If the zoo changes hands, the network will likely be forced to compete with companies in a contract bidding round to find a new animal feed supplier.
"Certainly we cannot compete with giant firms," Phin Chaikantha, chief of the Wisahakit Chumchon (small-scale community enterprise) in Lamphun, a state-sponsored small and micro-community enterprise, said yesterday.
His group currently supplies Pangola-grass to the zoo.
"The aim of Wisahakit Chumchon is to help community members become financially independent by running small-scale businesses. But if they cannot sell grass, how can they earn incomes?" Mr Phin asked.
"We beg the government to heed our problem and listen to people's voices," he said, stressing a public consultation is needed before officials make up their minds.
Mr Phin's Wisahakit Chumchon is part of a network in Chiang Mai which has been the major feed supplier to the safari since it opened in 2005.
In total, the network has more than 1,000 members selling vegetables and fruits to the safari, according to its chief Di Chanthakhalak.
All of the members will suffer if the government goes ahead with its plan, he believes.
Also calling his network a Wisahakit Chumchon, Mr Di said its businesses are currently self-reliant without needing to make frequent requests for state help.
Even at a time of low agricultural prices, his Wisahakit Chumchon can cope with the situation. That is because the group has already built "sustainable careers" for farmers, he said.
Any change in the management of the zoo is worrying for him, even though it will remain in the care of a state agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The zoo had been earlier supervised by the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, a public organisation under the Prime Minister's Office, before it was transferred to Pingkanakorn Development Agency, which was founded in 2013.
Manot Kanphanakngan, an expert in urban development at the Pingkanakorn Development Agency, discussed Mr Di's concerns during a meeting about the prosed transfer yesterday.
The zoo is not only home to animals, but it has a number of keepers and staff who have developed expertise over the years in taking care of various species.
If the transfer is eventually given a green light, Mr Manot said he has no idea what will happen to the zoo's current employees.
Located at the outskirts of Doi Suthep-Doi Pui National Park, Chiang Mai Night Safari covers up to 725 rai of land in Hang Dong and Muang districts.
The zoo was initiated by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after his experience of the Singapore Night Safari in early the 2000s. He wanted Chiang Mai, his home province, to develop a similar zoo for eco-tourism.
During its construction, which began in 2003, his government promised residents that it would help strengthen and improve their communities.
Pralong Damrongthai, a spokesman for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, could not be reached for comment by press time yesterday.
Standing at attention: Playing with tigers is among the popular shows at Chiang Mai Night Safari, which attracts visitors who want to get an up-close view of the animals.