Bangkok: An investigation has been ordered into the issuance of permits for overnight stays on Similan Island. The Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the facts surrounding the overnight stay at Similan Islands National Park by a group led by Weera Teerapatranon approximately four years ago. This follows his comments during a parliamentary session considering the 2027 budget bill, where he criticized the condition of the park's accommodations. The investigation will examine whether the permission granted violated a Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation announcement prohibiting overnight stays on the islands since 2018.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, revealed that he has ordered the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate whether the conduct of the then-head of Similan Islands National Park in granting permission for Mr. Veera Teerapatranon and his group to stay overnight in the national park approximately four years ago was in accordance with the laws, regulations, and announcements of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
Mr. Atthapol stated that this inspection was conducted because the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation had announced the closure of overnight stays in Similan Islands National Park since October 4, 2018, and designated it as a one-day trip destination. This was done to address the issues of overcrowding, waste, and wastewater, to restore natural resources, and to reduce the impact on the marine ecosystem. Therefore, it was necessary to verify whether the permits for overnight stays at that time complied with the established regulations.
Mr. Atthapol stated that during his presentation to the Special Committee on the 2027 fiscal year budget of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, he clarified and answered Mr. Veera's questions regarding the management of Similan Islands National Park. He confirmed that the Department of National Parks has discontinued overnight stays on the islands since 2018 and has designated tourism as one-day trips in order to restore natural resources and reduce the impact of tourist numbers, waste, and wastewater on the marine ecosystem.
During a meeting of the ad hoc committee considering the draft budget bill for fiscal year 2027, Mr. Veera debated, citing his experience staying at Similan Islands National Park approximately four years prior, and criticized the accommodation as "terrible." He also mentioned limitations in electricity, running water, and internet access, and proposed allowing the private sector to participate in managing national park areas through public-private partnerships (PPP).
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has issued a further statement clarifying that Similan Islands National Park has cancelled overnight stays on the islands since October 4, 2018, and now only offers one-day trips. The Hu Yong guesthouse on Koh Miang, previously open to tourists, has been converted into staff accommodation due to insufficient housing for staff members and is no longer open to the general public. Regarding limitations on electricity, water, and communication signals, these are restrictions inherent in a conservation area requiring management using clean energy systems such as solar power and controlled electricity usage to minimize impact on natural resources and wildlife.
The Department of National Parks is ready to listen to useful suggestions from the committee in order to improve operations and services for greater efficiency. However, all procedures must strictly adhere to government regulations and relevant laws.
Sasin Chalermlap, former chairman of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, told Thai news agencies that the main issue in this case is not about criticizing the condition of the accommodation, but rather investigating how permission was granted. He stated that the Similan Islands National Park has banned overnight stays and designated it as a one-day trip destination for many years to address issues of overcrowding, waste, and the impact on natural resources.
Mr. Sasin stated that limitations regarding electricity, water, and internet access are normal for protected areas on islands in the middle of the sea. Therefore, he believes the issue that should be investigated is who authorized Mr. Veera and his group to stay overnight, and whether such authorization complied with the regulations of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.