The controversy over accommodations at Similan National Park has reached a conclusion. Investigations found that Professor Veera visited twice, but overnight stays occurred only in 2015. The Office of Conservation Area 5 has canceled the investigative committee after the facts became clear. Tags: [Similan National Park, investigation, overnight stay, conservation, Thai national parks]
On 10 Aug 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that following the Director-General of the Department of National Parks’ order to set up an investigative committee regarding Mr. Chaiyapruk Veerawong, head of Similan National Park, over whether Professor Veera Theerapatranont, a parliamentary commission member appointed by the Cabinet, and his group violated department regulations by staying overnight four years ago amid criticism of the accommodation quality, as previously reported.Tags: [investigation, department of national parks, Similan National Park, regulations, accommodation]
The latest update: Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, ordered Mr. Surasak Anusorn, Director of the Office of Conservation Area 5, Mr. Charan Duangpan, Director of the National Park Division at Office 5, and Mr. Chaiyapruk Veerawong, head of Similan National Park, to officially present all relevant information and reveal the facts about the stays, as well as the actions taken by the Office of Conservation Area 5 after fact-checking.Tags: [department of national parks, official statement, investigation, fact-checking, Similan National Park]
Mr. Surasak Anusorn, Director of the Office of Conservation Area 5, revealed that after reviewing the evidence, it was concluded that Mr. Veera Theerapatranont and his group visited Similan National Park twice. The first visit was in 2015, when they stayed one night in a park residence. The residence has one building divided into five fan-cooled rooms, and the service fees were duly paid.Tags: [Similan National Park, visitor stays, accommodation, evidence, park regulations]
The second visit was in 2022, when the group came again but only for a day trip, returning the same day, as overnight stays have been prohibited since 2018. Regarding the coconut tree issue under investigation, the department compared photos from the park in 2022 and found the trees’ heights very similar.Tags: [day trip, park closure, overnight ban, coconut tree investigation, Similan National Park]
The Director of the Office of Conservation Area 5 confirmed that with all facts clarified, there was no need to proceed with an investigative committee. However, the Department of National Parks and Office 5 have encouraged all involved staff, recognizing the impact the issue had on their morale.Tags: [investigation cancellation, staff morale, department of national parks, Office of Conservation Area 5]
Since the park’s closure to overnight stays in 2018, the area has seen a recovery in marine wildlife density, including rare large sea turtles. A significant number of green turtles have returned to nest, creating nurseries for hatchlings. Additionally, large fish and rare sharks have become visibly more abundant.Tags: [ecosystem restoration, marine wildlife, sea turtles, shark sightings, conservation success]