Bangkok: Regional Office 5 confirms that the Similan Islands officials did not violate any regulations and is preparing to propose to the Director-General of the Department of National Parks to end the investigation.
According to Thai News Agency, the Regional Office 5 announced the results of its investigation into the Similan Islands National Park accommodation issue, confirming that no officials violated regulations. Evidence revealed that Professor Weera's overnight stay occurred in 2015, when the park was still open for overnight stays. His visit in 2022 was a day trip. The office is preparing to propose to the Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to conclude the investigation.
Mr. Surasak Anusorn, Director of the Conservation Area Administration Office 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat), along with Mr. Charan Duangpaen, Director of the National Parks Division, and Mr. Chaiyapruk Veerawong, Head of Similan Islands National Park, announced the results of the fact-finding investigation into the discussions regarding the condition of tourist accommodations in Similan Islands National Park. This followed a directive from Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, to investigate the matter.
This case stems from a discussion by Mr. Veera Teerapatranon, a member of the ad hoc committee considering the draft of the 2027 annual budget bill, during a committee meeting on August 5th. He recounted his experience staying at Similan Islands National Park approximately four years ago and criticized the quality of service and accommodation.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation clarified on the same day that Similan Islands National Park has canceled overnight stays for tourists since October 4, 2018, and adjusted its tourism model to day trips or one-day trips. The former tourist accommodations have been repurposed for staff accommodation. Therefore, an order was issued to investigate the facts regarding when the incident in question occurred and whether staff were permitted to stay overnight after the cancellation of overnight stays.
The investigation revealed that Mr. Veera traveled to Similan Islands National Park twice. The first time was between February 27 and March 4, 2015, and he stayed at "Baan Huyong" or Baan Similan 203, located at the National Park Ranger Station SL.1 on Koh Miang, on the night of February 28, 2015. At that time, the park was still operating its accommodation for tourists as usual, with a fee of 1,000 baht per night per house, according to the regulations in effect at that time.
The second investigation, conducted between April 23-26, 2022, revealed that Mr. Veera traveled to the island for lunch on April 25, 2022, and returned the same day, staying overnight at a hotel in Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province, and not within the Similan Islands National Park.
The Regional Office of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (RNP) Region 5 stated that they had reviewed additional evidence, including photographs of the travel group and image data in the database, as well as inquiring with the then-head of the Similan Islands National Park. The information confirmed that the trip in 2022 was a day trip and did not involve an overnight stay on the island.
Meanwhile, Mr. Veera clarified and apologized to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, stating that the information discussed was inaccurate based on memory, and presented evidence of both trips to support the investigation.
Mr. Surasak stated that, based on all the evidence, no officials were found to have violated any regulations or laws. Therefore, he is preparing to submit the investigation results to the Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for approval to conclude the fact-finding investigation. He also affirmed that the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is ready to listen to opinions and suggestions to improve the standards of facilities, but development in marine national park areas, especially on small islands with fragile ecosystems, must take into account resource limitations, waste and wastewater management, as well as the impact on coral reefs, sea turtles, and marine life.
Similan Islands National Park remains open for day trips and scuba diving activities only between October 15th and May 15th each year. It is closed to tourism outside of this period to allow natural resources to regenerate.