Probe ordered after harsh criticism of services on Similan islands

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has ordered an investigation into the conduct of the head of Moo Ko Similan National Park in the Andaman Sea over an incident four years ago. A tour group, led by well-known radio and TV talk show host Veera Theerapatranon, was allowed to spend the night on the island.

Veera, in his capacity as a member of the House Budget Scrutiny Committee, harshly criticised the services on the island during the committee’s deliberation of the department’s budget for the 2027 fiscal year yesterday. He said that the services were very poor, citing the shortage of running water, no internet access, power cuts at 8pm and 9pm and old, ragged mattresses. He also recommended that the department adopts private sector models in the improvement of customer services on the islands.

Veera’s harsh criticism was widely circulated among the online media.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the department’s director general, explained today that the department stopped overnight stays on the Similan islands about eight years ago, to protect the environment and ecological system of the pristine islands, adding that only daytime trips have been permitted since.

Allowing the group to spend a night on the island four years ago is, therefore, a violation of the department’s edict, hence the need for an investigation, he said, adding that the department is open to comments and recommendations from all stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the department issued a statement clarifying the limitations of services on the islands, saying that the officials there have to operate under physical limitations, such as conserving the use of solar energy.

It also said that the guesthouse used by the group four years ago has now been converted into accommodation for the officials only and is not open to outsiders.