PHUKET: In a surprise move, the director of Phuket's largest national park has been transferred to another post as an investigation continues into alleged encroachment by Phuket resorts.
Jirapon Amkam, the Director of Phuket's Sirinath National Park, has swapped places with Opas Nolmangsor, the Director of Kholanpee National Park in the neighboring province of Phang Nga.
The move was ordered by Damrong Pidech, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, who is currently heading an investigation into alleged encroachment on Phuket.
Just last week Khun Damrong - popularly known as ''The Demolisher'' - visited Phuket as part of a probe into the legality of at least nine resorts and villa developments under construction on the borders of Sirinath National Park.
The new park director, Khun Opas, has the reputation for being a keen-eyed student of the law with a track-record of spotting illegal invasions.
Just a week ago Damrong ''The Demolisher'' clambered over concrete at the site of the new Pullman Phuket Arcadia Nai Thon Beach, a 1.5 billion baht resort that is scheduled to open on November 1.
He and other officials from Bangkok and Phuket looked over the property along with Maitree Narukatpichai, whose family also owns Phuket's largest resort, the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa at Karon beach, and the boutique Villa Zolitude in Chalong.
Khun Maitree and the people who claim ownership of the other land in dispute now need to prove that their property title deeds existed before the national park was established in 1981.
Khun Maitree told Phuketwan soon after last Wednesday's site inspection: ''We have complied with the law every step of the way.''
The appointment of Khun Opas is expected to accelerate the department's probe. Khun Damrong says he hopes the investigation can be completed before he retires in October.
Sirinath is an island and marine park stretching out into the Andaman Sea and covering about 8.5 square kilometers of Phuket.
Passengers arriving at Phuket International Airport can look out over the park, which extends from Mai Khao beach south through Nai Yang beach to Nai Thon.
Jirapon Amkam, the Director of Phuket's Sirinath National Park, has swapped places with Opas Nolmangsor, the Director of Kholanpee National Park in the neighboring province of Phang Nga.
The move was ordered by Damrong Pidech, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, who is currently heading an investigation into alleged encroachment on Phuket.
Just last week Khun Damrong - popularly known as ''The Demolisher'' - visited Phuket as part of a probe into the legality of at least nine resorts and villa developments under construction on the borders of Sirinath National Park.
The new park director, Khun Opas, has the reputation for being a keen-eyed student of the law with a track-record of spotting illegal invasions.
Just a week ago Damrong ''The Demolisher'' clambered over concrete at the site of the new Pullman Phuket Arcadia Nai Thon Beach, a 1.5 billion baht resort that is scheduled to open on November 1.
He and other officials from Bangkok and Phuket looked over the property along with Maitree Narukatpichai, whose family also owns Phuket's largest resort, the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa at Karon beach, and the boutique Villa Zolitude in Chalong.
Khun Maitree and the people who claim ownership of the other land in dispute now need to prove that their property title deeds existed before the national park was established in 1981.
Khun Maitree told Phuketwan soon after last Wednesday's site inspection: ''We have complied with the law every step of the way.''
The appointment of Khun Opas is expected to accelerate the department's probe. Khun Damrong says he hopes the investigation can be completed before he retires in October.
Sirinath is an island and marine park stretching out into the Andaman Sea and covering about 8.5 square kilometers of Phuket.
Passengers arriving at Phuket International Airport can look out over the park, which extends from Mai Khao beach south through Nai Yang beach to Nai Thon.
If you use a fishing hook to round up your cattle and a lasso for catching fish, then you've got real issues on your hands.
Posted by Joe on July 19, 2012 09:43