Former Thai ambassador to France, and head of the Thai delegation at the World Heritage Committee meeting (WHC), Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, reported today (July 8^th) that the UNESCO WHC has asked Thailand to work on three main issues before it resubmits the proposal for Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex to be listed as a natural world heritage site.

Yesterday, the UNESCO’s 43rd WHC meeting, in Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku decided not to list the KKFC as a natural world heritage site this year.

Mr. Sihasak said that the WHC decided, as recommended by the 6-country working committee appointed by the 21-member WHC, to refer the Thai proposal back to the state parties to allow for revisions and the gathering of additional information. The proposal will be resubmitted to the Committee within a 3-year timeframe.

The additions, revisions and changes required are:

• Revise the boundaries of the property based on agreement between the State Parties of Thailand and Myanmar.
• Prepare and submit a revised comparative analysis demonstrating that the reduced area of the nominated property would be sufficient to meet Criterion (x), including the related conditions of integrity, protection and management.
• Demonstrate that all concerns have been resolved, in full consultation with the local communities, in accordance with paragraph 123 of the Operational Guidelines.

Thailand, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, had submitted the proposal for the KKFC to be declared a natural world heritage site. The nomination has been on the tentative list since February 7^th 2011 under Criterion (x).