Park officers will strictly enforce the ban on both the sale and consumption of alcohol within its boundaries, Mr Siriwat told The Phuket News.
The warning follows the incident on Apr 26 that saw a speedboat operator fined B10,000 and banned from Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park after Russian tourists were caught drinking alcohol and smoking while swimming in the park’s protected waters at Ao Pileh at Koh Phi Phi Ley.
While the speedboat operator was fined and banned from re-entering the park, officials have not been able to track down the Russian tourists involved, Mr Siriwat said.
“We have been working officers from Hat Noppharat Thara Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, but we have not yet been able to locate the group of tourists, and no fines have been issued to them. Only the business operators have been penalised so far,” he added.
Following the Phi Phi incident, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) confirmed the incident violated national park laws, and that the incident had prompted stricter enforcement and a warning to all tour operators.
“It is illegal under the National Park Act B.E. 2562 (2019), Section 20, and the National Park Department Regulations B.E. 2563 (2020), which strictly prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol within national park areas,” Mr Siriwat warned, urging tourists not to consume alcohol in any part of Sirinat National Park in Phuket.
“Anyone caught drinking in the national park area will first receive a warning. If they are aware of the rule but continue to drink, they will be fined,” he said.
“And according to the law in this case, the standard fine is B5,000 for the first time, B20,000 for the second time and B100,000 for the third time,” he added.
BOUNDARIES
“The reason we issue a warning first is because the boundary lines in some areas can be unclear,” Mr Siriwat explained.
“The challenge we face is that parts of the park border private property, and tourists who drink on private land often end up crossing into protected areas. Sirinat National Park encompasses five beaches: Sai Kaeo, Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon and Layan beaches, as well as one island, Koh Waeo.
“Still, Sirinat National Park has officers regularly patrolling, and we’ve stepped up our efforts to prevent such incidents across various beaches,“ he noted.
“It’s acceptable for visitors to consume alcohol at nearby restaurants, but not on the beach within the national park area,” Mr Siriwat clarified.
ENFORCEMENT
“Sirinat National Park authorities take action once a report is received,” Mr Siriwat assured.
A recent crackdown at Mai Khao Beach from 9.30am to 7pm on Apr 24 saw multiple agencies conduct a joint inspection to assess activities and monitor potential violations of national park regulations, he explained.
The inspection was led by Lt Col Phongsakorn Itsamut, Deputy Director of the Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).
Also joining the inspection were Phuket MP Thitikan Thitipruethikul and Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun, along with Mai Khao village headman and representatives from the Mai Khao Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor).
Mr Siriwat also deployed personnel from Sirinat National Park, Forest Protection Unit 1 (Thalang) and Tha Chatchai Police to inspect the Mai Khao area.
The inspection that day targetted Moo 3 in Mai Khao and identified 13 establishments operating as food and beverage stalls, souvenir shops, Thai massage providers, car rental businesses and tour service offices.
“The inspection team at first sought to demolish a shop found selling alcohol and operating within the boundaries of Sirinat National Park,” Mr Siriwat explained.
“However, by using GPS equipment, the inspection team confirmed that the shops were outside both the national forest reserve and the boundaries of Sirinat National Park,” he noted.
NOT ENOUGH OFFICERS
Mr Siriwat admitted, however, that enforcement remains a challenge due to limited personnel.
“The park covers a vast area and is difficult to patrol, especially as several zones border private land. Additionally, we have limited staff available to monitor the area,” he said.
“Regardless, anyone we find consuming alcohol in the Sirinat area, I will ensure they are fined according to the law,” he stated.
“In cases involving criminal offenses, violators may be banned from entering the park. These cases are handed over to the police, and being charged can make it harder for offenders to visit other national parks in the future,” Mr Siriwat warned.
“This also applies to boat, shop and restaurant operators who violate the law, they will have their business licences revokd and be permanently banned from operating within national park areas,” he said.
Mr Siriwat also called on the public to help protect the park: “If you see any violations, please report them. We rely on cooperation from visitors and locals to keep the area safe and clean.”
People are urged to report such incidents to Sirinat National Park officers by calling 076-328226 or by email to complain@dnp.mail.go.th