The Cabinet has approved the setting up of the National Committee on Geoparks, as proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Chaired by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, the committee comprises representatives from the Education, Culture, Interior and Sports and Tourism ministries.  Its task is to designate and propose a geopark site in Thailand to UNESCO.

In July this year, UNESCO’s Executive Board approved the designation of 15 new UNESCO Global Geoparks in Asia, Europe and Latin America, bringing the number participating in the Global Geoparks Network to 161 in 44 countries.

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas, where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic approach to protection, education and sustainable development.