'Keep private investment out of national parks'

Marine scientists are calling for a review of the government policy that allows private investments in national parks.

"It's against the principles and goals of establishing the national parks," Marine Science Association of Thailand chairman Padermsak Jarayabhand said yesterday,

The association, which has about 150 members, will soon write to the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department to demand that it review the controversial policy.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Anongwan Thepsuthin has encouraged private investment in national parks, believing that it will enhance tourism and the overall economy.

However, Padermsak and his association insist that the authorities should not risk damaging national parks, which contain important natural resources.

"If the government wants private investors to play a role, clear-cut regulations and procedures must be laid down or else natural-resource problems will arise," he said.

Prince of Songkla University lecturer Sak-anan Plathong said marine ecology - particularly coral reefs - was fragile.

"If people disturb nature too much, coral reefs will of course be damaged," he said.

He pointed out that Ao Keuk - also known as Donald Duck Bay - in the Similan Islands had already seen deteriorating water quality and degraded coral reefs because too many tourist boats visit the area.

Sak-anan also said the policy to invite private investors into national parks might prejudice the plan to seek World Heritage status for the Andaman Sea.

The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has assigned academics to work out a master plan to get the Andaman Sea inscribed as a World Heritage site.

Meanwhile, the department's deputy director-general, Vichit Phatthanagosai, said many private investors ran their operations inside national parks in line with a regulation passed in 2004.

"So far, no investor has built a hotel. Many investors have expressed interest in doing so, but backed off after reading our conditions. We have laid down guidelines that ensure that the investment won't hurt the environment," he said.

Citing his 30 years in environmental conservation, Vichit said some parts of national parks could be used for maximum benefits while others should be strictly conserved.

"Actually, the higher the number of visitors to national parks, the greater the number of people who are monitoring the conservation of the parks," he added.

Vichit, however, thanked academics for expressing their concerns.

He said that, if possible, his department would hold forums to listen to their opinions and explain the department's policy.

"We will communicate with all sides. Then, if all agree that it's good to go ahead, we will do it. If not, we won't," he said.