UNESCO has recognised one of Thailand’s most biodiverse regions as a member of the official World Heritage List. The news was confirmed at the organization’s 44th meeting, held on Monday, 26 July.
The session had been scheduled to take place last year, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Gathering via teleconference, representatives from 21 countries on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee voted 12-9 in favour of making the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex the latest addition to their list.
Thai representatives had already put forward a nomination for the listing on two previous occasions. Now that their application has been successful, officials are heralding the listing as a ‘gift to all Thai people.’
Following the announcement, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa gave his thanks to all agencies involved, and paid tribute to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy Gen Prawit Wongsuwon for the support they have shown to the project since its beginning.
Located along the Thai side of the Tenasserim mountain range – a north-south mountain ridge running down through the Malay Peninsula – the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex covers the Thai provinces of Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan. It is uniquely rich in biodiversity, home to verdant forests and diverse flora and fauna, including eight Globally Threatened species.
This wildlife includes the Critically Endangered Siamese crocodile, the Endangered Asiatic wild dog, banteng, Asian elephant, yellow/elongated tortoise and the Endangered Asian giant tortoise. In addition, there are numerous other species of birds and mammals listed as Vulnerable within the complex area.
Incredibly, the region is also home to a total of eight cat species, namely the Endangered tiger and fishing cat, Near-Threatened leopard and Asian golden cat, the Vulnerable clouded leopard and marbled cat, as well as jungle cats and leopard cats.
The forest complex joins five other sites in Thailand that have been given UNESCO World Heritage Site status. These include the historic cities of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, along with the Thunyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries, the Ban Chiang archaeological site and the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex.
