On Monday, the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation set up an investigation committee to look into the directors of Ao Phang Nga National Park, Mu Ko Similan National Park and Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

The probe involves alleged corruption regarding admission fees at the three parks and a claim that there had been no development at the parks despite higher incomes.

Sarayut Thantian, the head of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park head, said he had not received a summons and no investigation had begun but added that the news of the probe had demoralised his officers.

“I am very sad to hear this news, as every officer in the national park is working hard to protect the natural resources with small pay. We are all disheartened by this allegation and we still insist that there is no corruption here,” Sarayut said.

The other park directors involved are Worapoj Lomlim of Ao Phang Nga National Park and Ruamsin Manazhongprasert of Mu Ko Similan National Park.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, deputy dean at the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University, said he was very frustrated and angry that dedicated officers had been subjected to the allegations.

“They all have done fantastic work in protecting the nation’s interests and protecting our marine resources. They should not face this allegation. All three national parks have dramatically boosted their income within one year and a lot of progress has been made to improve the national parks,” Thon said.

He said all three national parks had raised Bt1.025 billion this year, significantly more than last year’s income of Bt187 million.

“Why has the department made the allegation against the officers who have done this impressive work to retrieve the income?” he said.

He said the claim that the national parks had not improved was nonsense because there were several clear examples that all three national parks had made improvements since last year.

The investigation committee was set up because of complaints from tourism operators and tourists, the department said.

A source inside the department said the probe had been launched because many tourism operators lost money as the increased Bt400-per-head admission fee went directly to the park management. Previously, tourist companies would negotiate a lower price that would fluctuate depending on the number of visitors.

National parks income skyrocketed in one year because of the tightened entrance fee collection, the source said.

According to the department, Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park had the highest increase in income. In 2012, the park collected annual income of Bt16 million but this year it collected Bt502 million.

Last December, a representative of Krabi tourist boat operators, Jatutaporn Changlek, said the park entrance fee of Bt400 for an adult foreigner was too expensive and was affecting the tourism business. He added that despite the increase there had been no improvements in park facilities.