Phuket park chief, citing 'constant threats' from encroachers, is granted transfer

[webfact]

Phuket park chief, citing 'constant threats' from encroachers, is granted transfer
Eakkapop Thongtub



PHUKET: -- Cheewapap Cheewatam, the chief of Sirinart Marine National Park since August 2012, has been granted a transfer, at his own request, to the Royal Forestry Department.

He explained, “The longer I stay, the more dangerous it gets. There are pressures from all directions. The [encroachers] in Sirinat National Park have power in terms of money, influence, prestige, law, and politics.

“When I want to go to work, I always have to be careful about security. There are constant threats from them.”

Mr Cheewapap was appointed in August 2012 by the DNP’s director-general at that time, Damrong “The Demolisher” Pidech, who launched a wide-ranging and very high-profile investigation into large-scale encroachment into the park.

Mr Damrong himself knew a thing or two about pressure, and arrived in Phuket accompanied by guards carrying assault rifles.

Mr Cheewapap has been under almost constant pressure. Just a month after his appointment he denied reports that he had received death threats but admitted that he had “been warned to be very careful”.

He has also been the subject of a smear campaign, he said. “There’s been news that I’m pursuing them because I want money from them. That’s not true. I’ve been offered money time after time and I’ve never taken it.

“For example, there was an offer of B30 million if I would approve an application for a Chanote [land paper] covering 300 rai. These people work as a team. They offer B1-3 million for each 10 rai.

“I want to move, not because I’m afraid – I have lodged complaints with the police covering five or six parcels of land – but because I want to give an opportunity to others.”

Samak Donnapee, head of the National Parks Office, agreed that powerful forces were at play.

He said that about 100 cases of encroachment have been reported to the DNP but no one has been charged or arrested since Mr Damrong launched his probe in 2012 “because each investor who encroaches on land is an influential person both in political and financial terms”.

Nipon Chotiban, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) revealed yesterday (May 4) that he signed the papers to transfer Mr Cheewapap with immediate effect.

Replacing him is Kitipat Tharapiban, DNP forest technical specialist and former head of the Mae Ping National Park in Chiang Mai.

Mr Nipon described Mr Kitipat as “a professional in making documents about borders. It’s believed that he will be able to solve the land encroachment problem in Sirinat National Park with full support from the DNP.”

Mr Samak said that Mr Cheewapap asked to be moved somewhere else because of the pressure from business people and owners of luxury resorts and villas.

These people put pressure not only on Mr Cheewapap, but also on members of his family, Mr Samak said.

Mr Cheewapap had told him that one “investor” offered him B30 million to drop a land encroachment investigation. When he didn’t do so, the investor put pressure on a relative of Mr Cheewapap who also worked for the government.

Bunchob Sutthamanaswong, director-general of the Royal Forestry Department said that Mr Cheewapap had been to see him and told him he wanted the transfer because he was worn out from the pressure.

“I had no hesitation in backing his application,” he said. “I’m happy to use him in suppression of forest cases.”

Mr Nipon said that he has set up a special directorate to check land ownership papers and to block land encroachment in national parks, not only in Phuket but also in Krabi and Phang Nga where many businesspeople are encroaching on national parks.

Already, he said, land ownership papers have been issued for more than 100 pieces of land covering more than 1,000 rai in park in these two provinces.

As director of the centre, he said, his first target for investigation will be the Haad Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

Mr Samak announced a new initiative to tackle the problem of encroachment, inviting lawyers and legal advisers from the private sector to join the drive against the encroachers.

“They are welcome to conduct the cases and the DNP will send the papers to the court. This way, I believe, will be effective and fast.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-park-chief-citing-%E2%80%98constant-threats%E2%80%99-from-encroachers-is-granted-transfer-46107.php


-- Phuket News 2014-05-05

[clockman]

And the Mantra, is greed. And a lawless country.

[eezergood]

At last a truthful, almost, statement - so where is the Army to protect these people????

[Nip]

ASKED to be moved OR was ORDERED to be moved.

[JulesMad]

Only money talks in Thailand

Again and again we see it, and it does NOT stop, unfortunately

[amerasian]

Money talks in every country, not just Thailand. They are just more open about it. Happened every day in the US,mut on a much much larger scale........

[unanimosity]

And the Mantra, is greed. And a lawless country.

Advertising 30 million baht tea money doesn't help.

[unanimosity]

Money talks in every country, not just Thailand. They are just more open about it. Happened every day in the US,mut on a much much larger scale........

Interesting...so then, you have examples of illegal encroachment 'on a much much larger scale' onto park lands in the USA?

[unanimosity]

ASKED to be moved OR was ORDERED to be moved.

Yeah, isn't that the area the leader of those people in the streets protesting is from? Wasn't he embroiled in a land scheme controversy in 1994 to award land to poor farmers that he instead awarded to rich southern cronies, and didn't that deception bring down the Leekpai government in 1994?

[Som wat]

“For example, there was an offer of B30 million if I would approve an application for a Chanote [land paper] covering 300 rai. These people work as a team. They offer B1-3 million for each 10 rai.

“I want to move, not because I’m afraid – I have lodged complaints with the police covering five or six parcels of land – but because I want to give an opportunity to others.”

Oh I've a feeling there's going to be others wanting those opportunities alright.

The selection committee are going to be upgrading their mercs after they hire his replacement.

[robblok]

Money talks in every country, not just Thailand. They are just more open about it. Happened every day in the US,mut on a much much larger scale........

Interesting...so then, you have examples of illegal encroachment 'on a much much larger scale' onto park lands in the USA?

He is a newbie.. still in the honeymoon period of Thailand.. his pink spectacles are still not off. Guys like that need to say stuff like this happens in the west to feel better.

[alfalfa19]

Terrible situation down there, but at least it's nice to see a thai official tell the truth.

[sonar6ca]

Only money talks in Thailand

Again and again we see it, and it does NOT stop, unfortunately

And what talks where you come from, B.S?

[ClutchClark]

30 million Baht?

Chee Chee wants us to believe he turned it down?

Not a chance.

[ggt]

Now...with an honest caretaker of the land removed...let the bidding war begin...!

[keestha]

Money talks in every country, not just Thailand. They are just more open about it. Happened every day in the US,mut on a much much larger scale........

Interesting...so then, you have examples of illegal encroachment 'on a much much larger scale' onto park lands in the USA?

He is a newbie.. still in the honeymoon period of Thailand.. his pink spectacles are still not off. Guys like that need to say stuff like this happens in the west to feel better.

Not any reason for you to question amerasians credibility, just explain why he is wrong in your opinion. Writing me also off as a pink spectacles wearing newbie won't cut it.