UNESCO threat looms as Thailand fights to keep 2 sites' status

With the UNESCO threatening to downgrade Thailand's two World Heritage sites' status, the country is preparing hard to defend them amid ongoing concerns over their conservation and management efforts.
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex and Ayutthaya Historical Park risk losing the status as UNESCO has threatened to downgrade the first site's status as a World Heritage site, media reports said today.
At the last session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in Doha last year, the forest complex was identified as facing threats which could be a reason to downgrade its status.
UNESCO has also expressed concerns about the repairing of historic sites in Ayutthaya Historical Park after the devastating floods wrecked havoc two years ago.

"We have been given one more year to tackle the threats to the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex. But at the upcoming UNESCO meeting, we will present a road map to show that we can protect and manage it well," Natural Resources and Environment General Dapong Rattanasuwan said.
The World Heritage Committee meeting will be held from June 28 to July 8 in Bonn, Germany.

The committee had earlier asked Thailand to tackle the existing problems, illegal Siamese rosewood logging, resource management for forest rangers, law enforcement, forest encroachment, the proposal to build a new highway in forestland and insufficient sustainable tourism development strategies.

In addition, the Thai delegation is preparing to seek World Heritage status for Kaeng Krachan National Park.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.