Khao Yai National Park was subsequently established on 18 September 1962 and was declared by royal proclamation in the Thai Government GazetteGovernment Gazette (Book 79, Section 89) as the first national park in Thailand. The park was named after the defunct Tambon Khao Yai. Boonsong Lekakul, one of the 20th century's most famous conservationists in Thailand, played a major role in the establishment of the protected area.
