Koh Pha-ngan park chief abruptly removed

Chief of the Tarnsadet-Koh Pha-ngan national park on Koh Pha-ngan has been abruptly removed for his alleged failure to curb illegal logging by influential figures on the island.

The removal of Mr Surachai Thamthet was ordered by the director-general of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation Department Mr Tunya Netithamkul with immediate effect as of October 25. He was transferred to assume his previous post at the Office of Conservation Area 5 in Surat Thani province.

In the same order, Mr Uthen Saengmukda, a forestry official attached to the Office of Conservation Area 5, was appointed the new park chief.

Surachai was accused of failing to curb illegal logging allegedly by influential figures on Koh Pha-ngan island but, instead, cracked down on small-time loggers.

Mr Surachai’s removal came after images of wooden planks thought to come from illegal logs were posted in the social media by Good Samaritan netizens. Troops and forestry officials had been sent into the forest to investigate and it was confirmed that the timber was illegal.

Koh Pha-ngan park chief abruptly removed |