Tour operators warned of imposters in Similian National Park

PHUKET: The Similan Islands National Park authority has warned tour operators over a group of people posing as park officers and offering reduced entry fees to the islands.

“A couple of weeks ago, a number of tour operators informed me that there was a group of people who approached them, claiming to be national park officers,” Similan Islands National Park acting chief Nat Kongkaesorn told the Phuket Gazette today.

“They said the tour operator could pay a reduced entrance fee based on the size of the boat engine instead of the number tourists on the vessel. However, they added that if they charged them this way, the tourists would not get individual entrance tickets because the payment was a special offer,” Mr Nat explained.

As park officers always charge operators based on the number of people on the boat, the “special offer” aroused the suspicion of the tour operators. The operators reported the potential scam to authorities, who are not hunting the imposters.

“We are trying to find out who these charlatans are. If you have any information that might lead to their arrest, contact me at 081-310 9306 or 076-453272,” Mr Nat said.

— Orawin Narabal