BANGKOK, Jan 29 — Thailand has proposed Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex for listing as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, with documents to be submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre next month.
Deputy Government Spokesman Chalitrat Chandrubeksa said that the cabinet endorsed the proposal of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to have the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex listed by UNESCO.
He said the World Heritage Committee’s 35th session in Paris in June 2011 acknowledged a Thai request to include Kaeng Krachan Forest on a tentative list of Natural World Heritage Sites for further consideration.
The spokesman said the Kaeng Krachan complex should qualify for the privilege status as it is one of the most important biodiversity centres in Asia, rich in flora and fauna. More than 720 kinds of animals and plants are found in the area.
Kaeng Krachan is located on the eastern slopes of the Tenasserim mountain range on the boundary between Thailand and Myanmar and covers a vast forest area of three western Thai provinces: Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
It consists of five areas, namely Kaeng Krachan National Park, Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary, Kui Buri National Park, the site linking Kaeng Krachan National Park to Kui Buri National Park, and Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park.
Mr Chalitrat said the documents will be submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre on Friday.
