Since the beginning a century ago, forest management in Thailand has undergone many changes, in form of reclassifications, name changes and management changes. All this has resulted in a division of 16 regions with 5 branches in 2002. Five regions in Central-East with 28 national parks, four regions in the South with 39 national parks, four regions in the Northeast with 23 national parks and eight regions in the North with 65 national parks.
Royal Forest Department was reclassified from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Kasettrathikarn in 1921. A 1932 revision by Royal Forest Department divided the forests in Thailand into 17 regions. An improvement in 1940 divided the forests in Thailand into 11 regions. A further improvement in 1952 was intended to establish 21 districts across the country, called "Forest Districts".
A Royal Decree, no.119, issue 99kor, dated 2 October 2002 stated: Under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Royal Forest Department remains responsible for economic forestry work and a new Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is further established, which is divided into 16 regions with 5 branches for the conservation, promotion and restoration of natural resources, wildlife and plant species in forest areas.[1]
As of 2022 the central and east of Thailand are divided into five regions with 28 national parks: