On December 18, Manopat Huamuangkaew took over the hot seat, left vacant by the retirement on October 1 of Damrong “the Demolisher” Pidech.
He immediately removed the chiefs of six national parks – Khao Laem Ya National Park on Koh Samet, Phang Nga Bay National Park, the Similans and Surin National Parks in Phang Nga Province, Doi Phu Ka in Nan Province and Khao Kich Kuth in Chantaburi Province.
He also made a visit to Koh Samet, where National Park officials are in dispute with the Provincial Adminstration Organisation (OrBorJor). The OrBorJor has built a pier that park officials say infringes on the Khao Laem Ya National Park.
Mr Damrong, while still head of the DNP, presented a case to police, urging them to prosecute the OrBorJor for encroachment. The OrBorJor denies any wrongdoing.
Mr Manopat said on the day he took his new position that he and Mr Damrong had worked together before, so no one should worry that he will drop the department’s suppression of encroachment in Phuket’s Sirinart National Park, despite an earlier decision by the Thai Cabinet to suspend the probe.
He also said he would continue with investigations on Koh Samet and in Tablan National Park in Nakorn Ratchassima province.
He said that the reshuffle of park chiefs would make the suppression of encroachment in national parks more efficient. He also promised to demolish illegal resorts on Koh Samet.
However, there is still concern from a number of close observers that the removal of Akom Namkam as chief of the park on Koh Samet will slow down the three investigations the DNP has there. They point out that his replacement has close links to “powerful people” in Rayong province.
Many more national park chiefs are expected to be moved this month (January) in what some believe is a concerted drive to sweep away Mr Damrong’s entire team.
Mr Damrong is keeping a close eye on the new man at the DNP, and reserving judgement for the moment.
“I am still watching his actions; he has just taken up the job. I will see who he moves and what he does about suppression of encroachment before I form an opinion,” Mr Damrong said.
Surachet Chetthamat, president of National Park Association of Thailand, a non-governmental organisation that supports the preservation of national parks, said that people should watch Mr Manopat’s actions, especially in Tablan, Khao Leam Ya, and Sirinart, and compare his performance with that of Mr Damrong, who had only nine months to suppress land cheats.