Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, has ordered an investigation into allegations that government vehicles were being used to transport foreign tourists at Kui Buri National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan. The move follows complaints from local tour operators that official park vehicles were operating in violation of regulations, undermining community businesses.

 

On 25 October, Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, head of the ministry’s special task force, led a team to inspect the park under orders from Minister Suchart and Police Major General Nanchat Supamongkol, an adviser to the ministry. The inquiry centres on claims that official vehicles marked with the Department of National Parks (DNP) emblem were used to serve tourists, with payments transferred directly to park officials’ personal accounts under the pretext of “staff welfare.”

 

The investigation follows a formal complaint by the Kui Buri Elephant Conservation Tourism Club, which alleged that vehicles belonging to the park’s chief, Anuchart Art-harn, were being used for commercial purposes. More than 50 locally registered tour vehicle operators, who normally provide services to visitors wanting to view wild elephants, gaurs and other wildlife, accused the park’s management of allowing state vehicles to bypass their queue system since 1 August 2025.

 

Field inspections confirmed that three DNP-marked government vehicles were being used to transport tourists without issuing the required THB 850 fare tickets. Most passengers were foreign visitors. The task force observed that state vehicles were prioritised daily over community-run vehicles, with as many as six official vehicles rotated on a three-to-four-vehicle schedule each day. Fuel was reportedly drawn from the regular government budget despite the vehicles being used for tourism services.

 

Officials involved in driving the vehicles confirmed that the orders came directly from Park Chief Anuchart, acknowledging the activity was outside official regulations. They said they were instructed to treat the revenue as part of a welfare fund for staff. Despite several prior complaints from local operators, no formal inquiry had been conducted until the ministry’s intervention this week.

 

Minister Suchart has since ordered a disciplinary investigation into Anuchart for serious misconduct. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny over corruption and misuse of government resources within Thailand’s national park system. Authorities are now reviewing financial records and fuel usage data, with further disciplinary and possibly legal action expected once the inquiry concludes.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Officials confirmed government vehicles were used to transport foreign tourists at Kui Buri National Park.

• The park’s chief allegedly authorised the practice and directed funds into a staff welfare account.

• A formal disciplinary investigation has been launched following local complaints.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Dailynews 2025-10-29

 

 

 

 

The ptoblem is everytime that there ate rules, nobody enforce any rule and because of all regulations everybody can interpret them as convient for them.

On 10/29/2025 at 5:02 AM, Georgealbert said:

The park’s chief allegedly authorised the practice and directed funds into a staff welfare account

Likely

17 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Likely

the accont is in his name so he canmake sure the money is safe LOL

 

I wonder who has access to the 

On 10/29/2025 at 5:02 AM, Georgealbert said:

staff welfare account.

 

On 10/29/2025 at 5:02 AM, Georgealbert said:

More than 50 locally registered tour vehicle operators

Overpriced operators didn't want the competition.