Park's 'free flights unfair'
A picture posted on the www.trekkingthai.com website that purports to show tourists arriving at the Phu Kra Dueng National Park in a government helicopter.
|
|
|
Conservationists allege "honorary tourists" get free government helicopter flights to visit the famed Phu Kra Dueng National Park.
They said the flights disturbed wildlife and sucked money from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department budget.Phu Kra Dueng Friends Club president Adulyadech Tiyabutr said the free trips had been going on for a long time. But park officials insisted tourists were not allowed to take helicopters to high points in the park because the noise disturbed wildlife. Pictures of tourists arriving with camping gear in government helicopters have been posted on the Internet at www.trekkingthai.com. Adulyadech said helicopters hauling supplies for forest officials and fire-fighting were permitted to land near the Chao Phu Srithan shrine. But often flights ferried friends and relatives of government officials to the site. The public must trek to the area. "These flights are shameful and unfair," Adulyadech said, adding the petrol cost came from park funds and was accounted for as "additional missions". Park chief Supachat Wannawong insisted helicopter trips for tourists were not allowed. "Even official helicopter trips taking off or landing at the park require permits from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department," he said. Only fire-fighters, forestry officials and supply transports are using helicopters, he said. The Nation
|
