The Director-General of the Department of National Parks has ordered an investigation into the Similan National Park chief regarding the permission granted to Veera and his group to camp there about four years ago, to determine if it violated department regulations, following Veera’s parliamentary criticism of the accommodation quality.
On 6 Aug 2016, stemming from an incident on 5 Aug 2016, Veera Theeraphatranon, serving as a special committee member reviewing the 2027 fiscal year budget bill, shared his personal views and experiences from a visit and camping trip to Similan National Park approximately four years earlier. He described the service and accommodation quality as "very poor," citing issues such as lights being turned off at 8 p.m., bedding conditions, water availability, internet connectivity, and suggested considering private-sector participation through public-private partnerships (PPP) for management.
Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), stated that while the department appreciates the constructive suggestions from the committee member, it must also conduct a thorough fact-finding review. He has therefore ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the Similan National Park chief’s authorization allowing Veera and his group to camp on the islands about four years ago.
This authorization potentially violated the DNP announcement dated 4 October 2018 (published in the Government Gazette on 8 October 2018), which has been in effect for eight years. The announcement prohibits camping in Similan National Park to address waste and sewage problems affecting the environment, focusing on natural resource restoration and sustainable reduction of marine ecosystem impacts by designating the area for day-trip tourism only.
The Director-General emphasized that the department welcomes all constructive proposals that benefit the public and will consider them to improve operations and service efficiency. However, all procedures and conditions must strictly comply with government regulations and relevant legal frameworks, handled with due diligence and care.