The chief of Mu Ko Similan National Park was transferred, to a provincial office of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, pending an investigation into alleged corruption concerning the sale of park entrance tickets.
According to the department’s director-general, Atthaphon Charoenchansa, a fact-finding committee has been set up to investigate Ritthikorn Noonloi, chief of Mu Ko Similan National Park, after anti-corruption officials, based in Trang province, uncovered the suspicious sale of e-tickets to tourists visiting the popular Ko 4 and Ko 8 islands in the park.
It is reported that, on Monday, a team of anti-corruption officials, led by Yutthana Wimonmuang, visited the two islands without informing park officials.
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The officials checked the e-ticket system and found out that only 10 tickets were issued for Thai tourists and the ticket prices were 100 baht for an adult and 50 baht for a child. The prices for foreigners were 500 baht for an adult and 250 baht for a child.
No Thais were, however, found on the beaches of the two islands, but 50 foreign tourists were. Ten speed boats were also found in the seas off the islands.
The officials suspect that ghost tickets were issued to the foreign tourists at discount prices, 400 baht for an adult and 200 baht for a child.
Their findings were reported to Atthaphon Charoenchansa.
