In his post online, MP Thitikan did not name the senior Marine Department official in question, and so far has declined to respond to a request for clarification from The Phuket News.
Of note, Natchapon Pranit was Chief of the Phuket Marine Office all throughout Mr Sophon’s tenure as Governor of Phuket, and remains so today.
Meanwhile, Mr Sophon enjoyed his last day as Governor of Phuket on Sept 30, but remains involved in Phuket’s affairs, and has been appointed Honorary Advisor to the Phuket Chamber of Commerce.
Of note, Mr Sophon was succeeded by Saransak Srikruanetra, who lasted just 42 days, making him the shortest serving Phuket Governor on record.
New Phuket Governor Mr Nirat, previously the Director General of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) officially began his duties as Phuket Governor yesterday (Nov 17), with a meeting in Bangkok.
In his post online, MP Thitikan said that the 300 fast-tracked jet-ski permits were all for operators on Phuket’s east coast.
The permits were granted even though officials had spent years arresting, seizing jet-skis, and fining operators for working illegally along Phuket’s east coast, he noted.
MP Thitikan said the last-minute approvals increased concerns among fishermen and residents in areas such as Pa Klok, Ao Por, Ao Kung, Bang Rong and Laem Sai.
For years, east coast jet-ski operators had been denied permits by the Phuket Marine Office. Officers instead conducted arrests and imposed fines for illegal operation. However, after paying the penalties, many operators continued business as usual, MP Thitikan said.
The situation escalated when more than 300 permits were granted in the final days before the two key officials retired, though MP Thitikan declined to confirm specifically which senior Marine Department official he believed was.involved.
“This sudden spate of approvals has caused significant problems for fishermen and local residents,” MP Thitikan said. “People have long complained about dangerous driving, noise, and environmental impacts.”
Residents and conservationists also worried that heavy jet-ski activity in the east coast’s shallow bays may threaten endangered dugongs and damage seagrass beds, their primary food source.
Concerns intensified earlier this year (Jan 9) after a dugong was found dead off Naka Yai Island. A post-mortem examination by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) revealed multiple fractured ribs and vertebrae, likely caused by a strong impact from a boat or jet ski, according to DMCR Director-General Pinsak Suraswadi.
The dugong, measuring two metres long and weighing 142kg, died from “acute shock caused by massive internal bleeding”, said the DMCR report.
The DMCR has since urged the public and marine tourism operators to help monitor vessel activity in key dugong areas.
MP Thitikan said he will formally raise the matter with new Phuket Governor Nirat and request a review of the approvals, along with measures to protect local communities and marine ecosystems.
“I will discuss this with new Phuket Governor Nirat to reconsider the permits and find a just solution for all parties,” he said.