Plea to save DNP chief who raided illegal park resorts

Critics had attacked the DNP chief last week for leading 5,000 department staff to demolish nine big resorts that had encroached on Thab Lan National Park.

Environmental groups such as the National Parks Association, Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, Thailand Environment Institute Foundation, Friends of The Asian Elephant, and Forestry Alumni Society held a press conference to support Damrong who led the demolition raid in the national park at Wang Nam Kheow in Nakhon Ratchasima and Na Di in Prachin Buri.

Owners of the targeted resorts, which include the biggest in the area – Ta Lay Mhok resort – have filed complaints against Damrong. There were reports the Natural Resources and Environment would remove him from his post because of his strong campaign to evict big resorts from national parks.

“Damrong was the only man who could strongly enforce the National Park Act to destroy those illegally encroaching on forests over the past 10 years,” Winai Sabrungreung, president of Forestry Alumni Society, said.

“Everything he did complied with the law to protect natural resources. That’s why we want to ask Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra not to move him from his post,” he said.

There have been reports the government will replace Damrong with a person with close ties to politicians, but Winai said whoever was director-general of the DNP should know and understand the forest situation in the country. He or she should have natural resource management skills or experience and must be accepted by officials in the department.

“Whoever should be appointed as DNP chief should follow what Damrong has done to protect natural parks,” Rataya Chantien, head of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, said. Meanwhile, Thailand Environment Institute president Qwanruedee Chotichanathawewong said Damrong should have a plan to recover degraded forest in the longer term after taking state land back from encroachers.

Damrong, who is due to retire soon, will send a representative to testify in the Administrative Court today, after resort owners filed a complaint against him.

The DNP chief is being investigated by two panels appointed by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and Cabinet over his demolition of the nine resorts in Thab Lan National Park. The results are expected in two weeks. 

The law and human rights subcommittee at Parliament is also due to hear claims tomorrow that raids ordered on wildlife centres earlier this year were an abuse of power by the parks chief.

Meanwhile, Damrong said he would demolish another big resort located by the sea in Khao Lam Ya National Park – Samet Island.