DNP probes Similan Park Chief over illegal camping permit

Matichon•General•19d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is investigating the head of Similan Islands National Park for allegedly allowing Mr. Weera Theeraphatranon and his group to camp in violation of a long-standing ban.

•DNP Director-General Athapol Charoenshunsa ordered a fact-finding committee to investigate the Similan Islands National Park chief.
•The investigation concerns permission granted to Mr. Weera Theeraphatranon and party to stay overnight at Similan Islands approximately 4 years ago.
•Such permission would violate a DNP announcement from October 4, 2018, which restricts visits to one-day trips.

Overview

•On August 5, 2026, Mr. Weera Theeraphatranon discussed his personal experience visiting Similan Islands National Park approximately 4 years ago during a budget bill deliberation.
•Mr. Weera Theeraphatranon described the quality of service and accommodation at the park as "very vile" and suggested using Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for management.
•On August 6, Athapol Charoenshunsa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, ordered the establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate the head of Similan Islands National Park.
•The investigation aims to determine if allowing Mr. Weera Theeraphatranon and his party to camp violated the DNP announcement dated October 4, 2018.
•The DNP announcement dated October 4, 2018, prohibits overnight stays to resolve waste and wastewater issues and restore natural resources, limiting tourism to one-day trips.
•Athapol Charoenshunsa stated that the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation welcomes useful suggestions for improvement but must operate strictly within government regulations and law.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Weera Theeraphatranon

"very vile"

เลวทรามมาก

Key Entities

Person

Athapol Charoenshunsa(อรรถพล เจริญชันษา)ℹ️

Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Weera Theeraphatranon(วีระ ธีระภัทรานนท์)

An extraordinary committee member considering the Annual Budget Expenditure Bill 2027.

Organization

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation(กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช)ℹ️

The government agency responsible for national parks and wildlife.

Place

Similan Islands National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสิมิลัน)

A national park where the alleged regulation violation occurred.

Policy

DNP Announcement on Closing Overnight Stays at Similan Islands National Park dated October 4, 2018(ประกาศกรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช เรื่อง ปิดการพักแรมอุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสิมิลัน ลงวันที่ 4 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2561)

A regulation prohibiting overnight stays at Similan Islands National Park to protect the environment.