Bangkok, Oct 1 (IANS): The Nang Rong waterfall, a popular tourist spot in Thailand's Khao Yai National Park, will be closed to the public following a dispute over rights to manage the area, the media reported on Thursday.

The national park, wildlife and plant conservation department has waged a legal battle with Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) over the right to oversee the famous attraction, The Bangkok Post reported.

The department announced the closure of the waterfall in Nakhon Nayok's Muang district after protesters supporting the PAO gathered to block the site's entrance on Tuesday.

Last month, the department moved to seize control of the area and confiscate tourism facilities, including the PAO's tourist services office.

Deputy Department chief Adisorn Noochdumrong said the PAO has benefited from tourist spending at the waterfall every year, despite the waterfall being in a national park under the department's supervision.

About 100,000 visitors spend about four million baht ($27,453) each year.

He said his department had seized the compound to prevent local politicians trying to control the waterfall.