Tourism
Investigation Launched into Similan National Park Overnight Stay Controversy
The Department of National Parks has initiated an inquiry into the Similan National Park chief following allegations regarding a past overnight visit by a government official.
On August 6, 2026, the Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), Atthapol Charoensan, announced the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate the chief of Similan National Park. This action follows public remarks made on August 5 by Weera Teerapatranon, a member of the extraordinary committee reviewing the 2027 fiscal budget bill.
During a parliamentary discussion, Weera recounted a personal experience from a trip to the Similan Islands approximately four years ago. He described the quality of services and accommodations as poor, citing specific issues such as the 8:00 PM electricity cutoff, the condition of bedding, limited water supply, and poor internet connectivity. He further suggested that the park should consider adopting a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to improve management.
While the DNP expressed appreciation for the feedback regarding service quality, the investigation focuses on whether the park chief’s authorization of Weera’s overnight stay at that time violated departmental regulations. For travelers and residents, this highlights ongoing debates regarding the balance between conservation and tourism infrastructure in Thailand’s protected areas. It remains to be confirmed whether the specific stay in question breached official park policies, as the committee is currently in the early stages of its review.