Athapol picked to lead DNP

Athapol Charoenshunsa, director-general of Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), has been appointed acting director-general of Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), replacing Rutchada Suriyakul na Ayutthaya who was accused of corruption.

A source said Mr Athapol's appointment papers were signed on Wednesday by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, and took immediate effect.

For the time being, Apichai Ekvanakun, deputy director-general of DMCR, will temporarily serve as chief of the department.

Mr Athapol was the top candidate for the role due to his past performance as the director of Forest Protection and Fire Control Office.

Mr Athapol played a key role in tackling forest encroachment, particularly in Thap Lan National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khiao district and Sirinat National Park in Phuket, as well as illegal logging in forest reserves across the Northeast.

He was promoted as director-general of Royal Forest Department, before taking over as director-general of Pollution Control Department and the DMCR, respectively.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the disciplinary probe into the allegations against Mr Rutchada would finish by Feb 4.