14 July 2002

FORESTRY

Building activity in Khao Yai national park is hurting its ecology, the park's chief says.

``No more buildings should be put up in the park,'' said Chumpol Sukkasem, who steps down this month.

Forestry chief Plodprasop Suraswadi is transferring Mr Chumpol to the department's Office of the Secretary, though he denies it is because he is outspoken.

The department last month put up another restaurant in the 1.3 million-rai park.

Sandalwood collectors and influential people who owned resorts in Prachin Buri were also bad for the park, Mr Chumpol said.

Mr Plodprasop said Mr Chumpol's transfer had nothing to do with his opposition to construction in the park.

Mr Chumpol was being moved because he had completed his four-year term.

Prawat Woharndee, chief of Srinakharin national park, would be made Khao Yai national park's new chief.

Mr Plodprasop said the department would set up an International Ranger Training Centre at the park to show rangers and forestry officials from neighbouring countries how to tackle encroachers.

The department would sign a contract with the US-based environmental NGO Wild Aid, which is pushing the project, in September.

Yingcheep Kerdthonglek, of the Foundation for Khao Yai National Park Protection, said he was also worried about the number of buildings going up.

In recent months the department had put up a 300-seat conference centre known as the Suraswadi Building, a training centre and lodging houses.