UNESCO experts will visit Chiang Mai province early next month to assess Thailand's readiness to nominate "Chiang Mai: Capital of Lanna" for inscription on the World Heritage List, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said today.
Suchart, who headed the Thai delegation at the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, said the experts' visit will evaluate the site's preparedness and provide recommendations to strengthen Thailand's nomination dossier.
The experts will also provide guidance on preparing the final nomination documents.
The minister was speaking after meeting Lazare Assomo, Director of UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, on the sidelines of the committee meeting.
During the meeting, Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Chiang Mai's nomination, which, he said, would be in accordance with UNESCO's criteria and recommendations.
Suchart also updated the World Heritage Centre on Thailand's conservation efforts at the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, saying the country had implemented UNESCO's recommendations and would continue managing the site to preserve its Outstanding Universal Value.
According to Suchart, Assomo praised Thailand as an experienced country with a strong understanding of the World Heritage nomination process and encouraged it to share its expertise with nations that have yet to secure World Heritage inscriptions.
The minister noted that none of Thailand's World Heritage Sites had been on the List of World Heritage in Danger, reflecting the country's continued compliance with its obligations.
In addition, Thailand has submitted a Preliminary Assessment for the cultural property "Phra Prang of Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan: The Identity of Rattanakosin" to the World Heritage Centre.
The submission will be reviewed by UNESCO's advisory bodies before Thailand prepares a full nomination dossier.
Suchart also thanked the World Heritage Centre for its support, which contributed to the successful inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat as Thailand's newest World Heritage Site.
He said the designation would strengthen the country's cultural and religious heritage, foster national pride, and create new tourism and economic opportunities for local communities.
Suchart stressed that achieving World Heritage status is "not the end of the mission, but the beginning of a long-term responsibility."
