National Park officers in Koh Samet accused of extortion

A member of Parliament accused Mu Koh Samet National Park officers of extorting nearly 2 million baht per year from public transport drivers and business owners on Samet Island in the eastern province of Rayong.

Khaosod reported yesterday, that Okas Thai Party MP (or Thai Opportunity Party), Damrong Pichate, recently gave an interview to a news programme about money extortion in Koh Samet.

Damrong said green pickup (songtaew cars) drivers told him that Mu Koh Samet National Park officers asked more than 60 drivers to pay 16,000 baht a year and 330 baht a month to obtain the right to serve tourists on the island.

Officers also collected money from motorcycle rental shops. Shop owners had to pay 1,600 baht per vehicle every year to operate their shops.

After paying the money, they would get stickers to put on the vehicles to ensure that they had a right to service customers.

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