Thailand steps up reforms to retain Satun geopark's UNESCO status
Officials are restructuring management and preparing to appoint a new director, with a development progress report due in January 2027.
- Thailand is reforming the Satun Geopark's management after it received a "yellow card" from UNESCO for lacking a permanent management structure and poor inter-agency coordination.
- Corrective actions include establishing a permanent management body, appointing a new geopark director, and creating a working group to coordinate cooperation between various agencies.
- A progress report must be submitted to UNESCO by January 31, 2027, ahead of an assessment visit, with a final decision on the park's status expected in early 2028.
Questions have been raised about the government's handling of the situation at Satun UNESCO Global Geopark after the organisation gave it a yellow card during revalidation.
Department of Mineral Resources director-general Niphon stressed on Saturday (November 14, 2026) that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was actively addressing the problem.
The ministry had been working urgently and continuously with Satun province and relevant agencies to resolve the issues, including establishing a permanent management structure and coordinating cooperation across all sectors to meet UNESCO's recommendations and retain the site's global geopark status.
Satun UNESCO Global Geopark received UNESCO recognition on April 17, 2018.
It covers four districts: Thung Wa, Manang, La-ngu and Mueang Satun.
Its total area is 2,597.21 square kilometres, or approximately 259,200 hectares, encompassing areas within two national parks: Tarutao National Park and Mu Ko Phetra National Park.
However, the geopark received a yellow card following its second revalidation on July 15–19, 2025.
UNESCO recommended improvements to its management system, particularly addressing the lack of a permanent management structure and ensuring that agencies in the area work together in a coordinated way.
These were key issues requiring urgent action.
The Satun governor is working with the geopark's management team, the Department of Mineral Resources, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and local agencies to accelerate improvements and establish a clearer, more systematic management structure.
Preparations include appointing a new geopark director and revising the working group's composition so that relevant agencies participate actively and share responsibility, with the aim of ensuring continuity and sustainable management.
The ministry's permanent secretary also appointed a working group to advance the geopark's revalidation on November 5.
Its remit is to provide technical support, coordinate cooperation among agencies and identify funding sources for developing the area and preparing it to meet UNESCO's recommendations.
The move reflects the ministry's proactive, systematic approach to addressing the problems.
The geopark must submit a progress report on development in the area, together with supporting documents for revalidation, to UNESCO by January 31, 2027.
Assessors are then due to visit in mid-2027, with a decision expected around January 2028.
If it meets the criteria, the geopark will receive a green card and retain its status for another four years.
If it does not, its designation could be revoked.
Niphon emphasised that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was fully committed to retaining Satun UNESCO Global Geopark's status.
Its aim extends beyond addressing the concerns raised to pass revalidation: it also wants to establish strong, sustainable management and enable all agencies and local communities to participate in conserving geological and natural resources, while generating long-term economic and tourism benefits for local people.
