Parks department to appeal court ruling on Similan Islands

[webfact]

Parks department to appeal court ruling on Similan Islands

By The Nation

 

Tourists splash in the clear blue sea at Mu Ko Similan National Park in this file photo.

 

RULING SAYS NUMBER OF TOURISTS NOT MUCH HIGHER THAN LIMIT SET BY DNP

 

AN APPEAL will be filed against a court order suspending the ceiling on the number of tourists to Mu Ko Similan National Park between January 1 and March 31. 

 

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has vowed to fight the ruling issued by an Administrative Court on Sunday.

 

“We will definitely appeal,” DNP director-general Thanya Netithammakun said. 

 

 

DNP has planned to keep the number of tourists to the popular marine national park in Phang Nga province at no more than 3,850 a day so as to ensure the park’s beautiful islands are not damaged by overcrowding and their carrying capacity is not overwhelmed.

 

However, a core member of the Similan-Surin Islands Tour Operator Club lodged a complaint with the Phuket Administrative Court over the DNP move. 

 

The Administrative Court ruled in the plaintiff’s favour over the ceiling, on grounds that the number of tourists to Mu Ko similan National Park during the peak season – January and February – is around 5,000 a day. That number is not too high when compared to the 3,850-tourist ceiling that the DNP seeks to impose, the court ruled. 

 

In the court’s opinion, the DNP should be able to manage that many tourists – even if it is higher than usual – given that it can plan in advance. The court has also ruled that the DNP should involve the private and civil sectors and other relevant authorities in managing tourist services. 

 

‘Travel plans made in advance’

 

The court told the DNP to take into account the fact that tour operators and tourists plan their trip to the national park well in advance because the preserve is not suitable for visits throughout the year.

 

Mu Ko Similan National Park, similar to many other marine parks, is closed to tourists for several months every year during the monsoon period. 

 

The court refused to suspend the hike in entrance fees for boats visiting Mu Ko Similan National Park, despite the plaintiff’s request. The new rates range between Bt500 and Bt3,000 per boat, depending on its size and will take effect from May 16 onward. 

 

According to the court, there was no sound reason to suspend the fee increase. 

 

The DNP’s Thanya said that given the beauty of the Mu Ko Similan National Park, it would attract tourists despite increased fees.

 

“The new rate was introduced for conservation purposes, not with the goal of raising the DNP’s income. We want to protect our natural resources and nature for posterity,” Thanya said.

 

Panus Tassaneeyanon, a former dean of the Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law, voiced support for the DNP move to appeal. 

 

“On some days, the number of tourists to Mu Ko Similan National Park reaches 7,000. That’s too many,” he said. 

 

If the attraction was overwhelmed, damage would be done to its unique nature, Panus said.

 

“Garbage and wastewater problems will grow. And these problems are difficult to solve.” 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30361511

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-03

[kannot]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ first

[Bluespunk]

39 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Administrative Court ruled in the plaintiff’s favour over the ceiling, on grounds that the number of tourists to Mu Ko similan National Park during the peak season – January and February – is around 5,000 a day. That number is not too high when compared to the 3,850-tourist ceiling that the DNP seeks to impose, the court ruled. 

Someone needs to go back to school to study maths. 

 

Its around 30% more. 

[kannot]

1 hour ago, Bluespunk said:

Someone needs to go back to school to study maths. 

 

Its around 30% more. 

yeah .......most of the Thai nation it  appears when you go out shopping at the checkouts.

[ChrisY1]

Been to these islands once....never again tho'!

Once beautiful, now just a dump for the hoards of tourists, 95% Chinese, who swarm here on crazy speedboats with 1200hp on the back.

I counted over 50 boats at the time I was there......just totally insane and driven by greed!

[seajae]

once again we see dollars winning out over conservation to save one of Thailands beautiful islands, really have to wonder at the real reasoning for this and if a "cake box" was involved or just plain stupidity.

[marko kok prong]

This is insane,if the body responsible for the park,set's a limit,the limit is the limit,how can some greedy tour operator challenge it,yes so they will wreck the place,then it will need a long period of permanent closure like Maya bay to recover. Who in their right mind would want to mingle with 5,000 other tourist's many chinese as a poster above said,not known for their sanitary habits,what do they want,oh yes of course.....

[hotchilli]

Sheer greed again.. will Thais ever learn?

 

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

around 5,000 a day

What does "around" mean?

Is 6,000/6,500/7,000 still "around"?

When I hear someone saying "around," it means they really have little idea as to the accuracy of their statement. 

[Ulic]

Simple answer, lower the figure allowed to 2000 per day. That way 5,000 is a much bigger number. 

[Kieran00001]

Just now, Ulic said:

Simple answer, lower the figure allowed to 2000 per day. That way 5,000 is a much bigger number. 

 

Yes, unfortunately that is the sort of logic they could work with.