Suchart denied distorted reports, affirming he has not signed approval to revoke part of Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park in Chanthaburi Province for the Wang Tonod reservoir. He explained that he only provided opinions following the 2021 National Environment Board resolution, with many procedural steps still ahead.
At 10:11 a.m. on 30 June 2026 GMT+7. Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. He spoke at the Parliament regarding rumors that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment had approved or authorized use or revocation of area from. Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park. in Chanthaburi Province to proceed with. the Wang Tonod reservoir project. He said that after consulting Mr. Bannarak Sermthong, Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), who oversees the Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA), the review began in 2015-2016, a data collection phase during which he was not yet minister.
Data collection continued until 2021 through the National Environment Board. All activities involved expressing agreement with the 2021 board resolution. Therefore, he only provided opinions based on the board's decision. As for proceeding, the matter was referred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, with the Royal Irrigation Department as lead agency. For the department to proceed, consultations with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment are necessary, which is a lengthy process.
Suchart emphasized that within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the relevant agencies only expressed agreement with the 2021 National Environment Board resolution. Regarding. all misinformation claiming he approved the Wang Tonod reservoir construction, he affirmed he cannot sign approval since the Director-General of the Department of National Parks has not yet granted the land. This is the complete truth. He urged all parties not to be alarmed, as he has not authorized land removal for the reservoir. The Royal Irrigation Department is responsible for proposing the project through proper channels, which will take several more years. .