Earlier this week, Suwat Saowarat, Director of the NACC Phuket office, along with regional anti-corruption officials, led inspections at Similan Islands National Park.
The team, including Suchart Kruakitanon and Thawichat Nilkan, Assistant Secretary-Generals of the NACC Region 8 and 9 respectively, reviewed park revenue collection practices and listened to concerns from park officers and local business operators.
The visit included on-site checks at Koh Si and Koh Paet, focusing on ensuring transparency in E-Ticket usage and preventing bribery.
A workshop followed, addressing issues related to illegal benefits in national park administration. Representatives from the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Similan park officials and private tour operators discussed flaws in the E-Ticket system, park revenue loopholes, and the urgent need for better enforcement, said an official report of the visit.
Meanwhile, in a separate but related development, Member of Parliament Chalermpong Saengdee raised serious concerns about alleged favoritism and corruption at the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
He cited a public complaint involving a woman – identified only as ‘Ms N’ – allegedly operating a tour business without paying the national park entrance fee due to her personal ties with park officials.
MP Chalermpong stressed that Phi Phi Island is public land, and no private business should be exempt from contributing tourism revenue back to the state. He called on authorities to urgently investigate, suggesting the incident may reflect long-standing systemic corruption within national parks in the southern islands.
“These issues are not new,” he said. “But now that the previous E-Ticket system has been cancelled and scrutiny is rising, it’s time to ensure that no official or private party benefits unfairly from public natural resources.”
In response to “concerns” over corruption through the previous E=Ticket system, six marine national parks will launch a new E-Ticket system in October.
A press conference was held on April 30 to present preliminary findings from the Similan Islands inspection, attended by local media, anti-corruption networks and members of the public.
At the public event, officials emphasised their continued commitment to transparency, fair tourism practices and restoring public confidence in Thailand’s protected marine areas.