Politics National Parks Department Denies Sondhi’s Allegations over Multi-Million Baht Boat Purchases

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has issued an official statement firmly rejecting allegations made by Sondhi Limthongkul on his programme “SONDHI TALK” regarding the department’s procurement of patrol boats worth hundreds of millions of baht.

 

The statement clarified that the purchases of boats were carried out strictly according to the Public Procurement and Supplies Administration Act B.E. 2560 (2017) and all relevant regulations. All procurement procedures, including price determination and terms of reference (TOR) specifications, were handled with the utmost transparency, focusing on operational efficiency and safety.

 

The DNP detailed its recent boat procurement projects:

 

• In the fiscal year 2024, the department purchased 26 motorboats, each at least 5.5 metres long and equipped with engines of at least 100 horsepower, at a total cost of 29,588,000 baht. These boats are already in use for water patrols and the protection of natural resources in national parks with water territories.

 

• For the fiscal year 2025, the DNP is in the process of procuring 40 rigid inflatable boats with aluminium hulls, each over 6.6 metres long and powered by 140-horsepower engines, complete with trailers. This project has a budget of 112,000,000 baht and aims to enhance marine resource research, law enforcement, and visitor safety in marine national parks.

 

The department also clarified past procurements, including:

 

• The 2020 purchase of 14 rigid inflatable boats with a budget of 36,400,000 baht for marine research and patrol missions.

 

• The procurement of nine fibreglass boats, each over 38 feet long with dual 300-horsepower engines and trailers, costing 67,500,000 baht.

 

Refuting Sondhi’s claim that Thai Marine (Phuket) Co., Ltd. had participated in the bidding process, the DNP stated that no bid submissions from this company were found in its records.

 

Furthermore, the department denied allegations that politicians had intervened to divert national park revenue for boat purchases. The DNP explained that all procurements are financed either through the annual national budget or through strictly regulated national park funds, following the department’s 2021 financial management regulations.

 

Addressing further claims about the minister’s alleged close ties with a tour company operating boats in restricted areas, the DNP asserted that no private companies or individuals were granted special permission to enter protected zones. Any violations of protected area regulations are dealt with according to the law.

 

The DNP reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, legality, and the sustainable protection and restoration of Thailand’s natural resources and environment, in line with the policies of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment under the Minister and the current government.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-04-27.

 

 

 

 

 

[ozz1]

It's not the price it's how much commission did he get