Scandal has erupted in the serene settings of Phetchabun province, following the uncovering of several resorts illegally encroaching on the preserved forest reserve. The authority in charge of Khao Kho National Park finds himself reassigned abruptly to a less active role pending a thorough investigation.
Last Thursday marked a notable day as a surprise inspection was conducted by the Internal Security Operations Command, with Khao Kho National Park’s head, Prasan Iadsang also participating. This special team was particularly interested in inspecting the zone renowned as Pha Hua Sing or ‘lion head cliff’, a beloved part of the national park’s ecosystem.
Initial sightings confirmed their apprehensions when two resorts were discovered operating on park territory without authorisation. The first company found guilty was Phu Thap Boek Suansawan, cunningly nestled about 200 metres away from the peripheral border of Pha Hua Sing. The illicit resort, sprawling over a substantial 69-rai (or 110,400-square-metre) was captured on the radar.
Hot on the heels of this unpalatable discovery followed another, this time in the form of Good View-Hot View Suansawan Phu Thap Boek resort. Situated dangerously close to the cliff’s edge at a mere 100 metres distance, it also claimed a 100-metre patch unlawfully purposed for camping.
Documentations that indicated ownership and control of the resorts were confiscated promptly, and the culprits found themselves wheeled before the court, facing charges for breaching forestry laws. The stated charges included the unlicensed obliteration of nature reserves.
Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, expressed distress at the recent findings. He reassured the public on Friday that these infringements would not be swept under the rug. In view of the current investigations, the park’s head was readily transferred from a field role.
The decision to dismantle the illegally established resorts was swift, leading to immediate enforcement, Atthaphon added, underlining the firm stand of the administration towards the preservation of the park’s natural assets.
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