Thailand pushes Doi Inthanon for ASEAN Heritage Park status

MGR Online•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai government is proposing Doi Inthanon National Park for certification as an ASEAN Heritage Park to enhance conservation and promote eco-tourism.

•Lalida Periswiwattana announced the push for Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai to be recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park on September 15, 2026.
•The National Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization Committee approved the proposal on May 6, 2026.
•Experts from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) will assess the area from September 16–18, 2026.
•Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest peak at 2,565 meters above mean sea level.

Overview

•The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment submitted the proposal for Doi Inthanon National Park to be an ASEAN Heritage Park to the Cabinet.
•Doi Inthanon National Park covers approximately 296,922.22 rai across four districts in Chiang Mai: Chom Thong, Mae Chaem, Mae Wang, and Doi Lo.
•89.5% of the total area of Doi Inthanon National Park is natural forest, and 40.48% is in the first-class watershed zone.
•Doi Inthanon National Park is a key headwater for the Ping River and contains at least 1,271 plant species and 393 wildlife species, including rare species like goral, serow, and white-handed gibbons.
•The area produces more than 540 million cubic meters of water per year, supporting over 35 villages and 74 communities.
•Lalida Periswiwattana stated that ASEAN Heritage Park status will raise conservation standards and increase knowledge exchange with ASEAN member states.
•Thailand currently has 10 areas certified as ASEAN Heritage Parks.
•After the ACB assessment, the proposal will be considered by the ASEAN Heritage Parks Committee, ASEAN Senior Officials for the Environment, and the ASEAN Environment Ministerial Meeting.

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Key Entities

Person

Lalida Periswiwattana(ลลิดา เพริศวิวัฒนา)

Deputy Government Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister.

Place

Doi Inthanon National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติดอยอินทนนท์)ℹ️

A national park in Chiang Mai province and Thailand's highest peak being proposed as an ASEAN Heritage Park.

Chiang Mai Province(จังหวัดเชียงใหม่)ℹ️

The province where Doi Inthanon National Park is located.

Organization

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment(กระทรวงทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม)ℹ️

The ministry that proposed the ASEAN Heritage Park status for Doi Inthanon to the Cabinet.

National Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization Committee(คณะกรรมการอนุรักษ์และใช้ประโยชน์ความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพแห่งชาติ)

The committee that approved the proposal for Doi Inthanon to be an ASEAN Heritage Park on May 6, 2026.

ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)(ศูนย์อาเซียนว่าด้วยความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพ)

The organization whose experts will evaluate the Doi Inthanon area between September 16–18, 2026.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The body reviewing the proposal from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

ASEAN Heritage Parks Committee(คณะกรรมการอุทยานมรดกอาเซียน)

A body that will consider the proposal after the ACB assessment.

ASEAN Senior Officials for the Environment(เจ้าหน้าที่อาวุโสอาเซียนด้านสิ่งแวดล้อม)

Officials who will consider the proposal following the ASEAN Heritage Parks Committee.