Govt denies Satun Global Geopark status revoked by UNESCO

Thairath•Politics•17m ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai government clarifies that Satun Global Geopark has received a yellow card from UNESCO but has not lost its official status.

•Lalida Periswiwatana refuted claims by Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit regarding the revocation of Satun Global Geopark's status.
•Satun Global Geopark received a yellow card, requiring deficiency corrections within two years to avoid a red card and loss of status.
•The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has appointed a working group to address UNESCO's recommendations.
•A re-evaluation by UNESCO is scheduled for May 2027.

Overview

•Satun Global Geopark has received a yellow card evaluation from UNESCO, meaning it must fix deficiencies within two years to avoid losing its status.
•Lalida Periswiwatana stated that Satun Global Geopark has not been revoked from UNESCO status, contradicting concerns raised by Supat Hasuwannakit.
•The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment appointed a working group chaired by a Deputy Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources to resolve issues.
•Satun Province is implementing improvements in management structure, staffing, budget, tourist safety, learning media, and community participation.
•On November 11, 2026, Satun Province followed up on 9 issues across 5 UNESCO recommendations.
•Satun Province plans to submit evaluation documents by January 31, 2027.
•Satun Global Geopark is scheduled for re-evaluation in May 2027.
•Satun Global Geopark became the first Global Geopark in Thailand to be certified by UNESCO in 2018.

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Key Quotes

Lalida Periswiwatana

"The government has not ignored the problem. Receiving a yellow card is a matter that must be seriously addressed, but it does not mean Satun has been revoked."

รัฐบาลไม่ได้เพิกเฉยต่อปัญหาค่ะ การได้รับใบเหลืองเป็นเรื่องที่ต้องเร่งแก้ไขอย่างจริงจัง แต่ไม่ได้หมายความว่าสตูลถูกถอนสถานะแล้ว

Key Entities

Person

Lalida Periswiwatana(ลลิดา เพริศวิวัฒนา)

Deputy Government Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister.

Supat Hasuwannakit(สุภัทร ฮาสุวรรณกิจ)

Former Director of Sabayoi Hospital and former People's Party candidate for Songkhla.

Place

Satun Global Geopark(อุทยานธรณีโลกสตูล)

The first Global Geopark in Thailand certified by UNESCO in 2018.

Satun Province(จังหวัดสตูล)ℹ️

The province managing the Global Geopark and coordinating corrections based on UNESCO's recommendations.

Organization

UNESCO(ยูเนสโก)ℹ️

The organization that certifies Global Geoparks and issued a yellow card evaluation to Satun Global Geopark.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment(กระทรวงทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม)ℹ️

The ministry that appointed a working group to drive the re-evaluation of Satun Global Geopark.

Department of Mineral Resources(กรมทรัพยากรธรณี)

The department whose Deputy Director-General chairs the working group for Satun Global Geopark's evaluation.

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)

The political party associated with former candidate Supat Hasuwannakit.