BANGKOK, 27 January 2015 – The National Committee on the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Thailand is proposing that Phu Phabhat Historical Park be listed as one of the world’s cultural heritage sites.
According to Culture Minister Veera Rojpotjanarat, the committee has unanimously agreed that Phu Phabhat Historical Park, located in Udonthani, should be recognized as a world cultural site.
The committee will submit its proposal to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on February 20th. The result will be revealed in June next year.
Another potential site, located in Chiang Mai, will also be submitted to the World Heritage Center for consideration. However, while the country is proposing a new site to be registered by the UNESCO, one of its registered sites–Dong Phayayen– is at risks of losing its world heritage title thanks to the ongoing illegal logging of Rosewood trees and massive constructions of a dam and Highway 304 in the forest reserve.
According to National Resource and Environment Minister General Daopong Rattanasuwan, measures have been taken to prevent forest encroachment.
Thailand is required to report to the UNESCO its progress following reports of illegal logging and a dam construction in the mountainous region of Dong Phayayen, said the Minister. He, however, said that he did not believe it would lose its title.
