Demolisher Raises National Park Fees 150% For Foreigners

Director-General Damrong Phidet of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is having a busy August.
The Department has issued a notification that entrance fees for 29 of the most popular National Parks will be raised on October 1st.
According to a news article in TTR Weekly the increase for admission by foreigners will be 150% from THB200 up to THB500 for adults in certain parks, while it will be THB100 in others.
Under the new scheme reports TTR the adult admission for Thai's is THB100 and THB50 for children and for foreign adults THB500 and THB300 for children.
An outcry has been voiced by tour operators over the price rise close to the coming high tourism season, as many have committed tour packages both locally and abroad for some time.
Damrong who has been nick-named 'The Demolisher' by the media recently made national headlines over investigations over land encroachment within Sirinath National Park at 10 prominent Phuket west coast resorts and property developments.
The Director-General is set to retire this October and the rumor mill has put him in the running to take over Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler's judge role on American Idol or else a placement in this season's Dancing with the Stars.
We have been unable to verify said rumors.