Today (19 September 2023) at 3:30 p.m. Pol. Gen. Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) in his capacity as Chairman of the National Committee for the World Heritage Protection Convention presided over a press conference announcing the registration of the ancient city of Si Thep as a World Cultural Heritage Site at Issara Winitchai Throne Hall, National Museum, Bangkok. Mr. Sermsak Phong Phanich, Minister of Culture (WTC) and Chairman of the World Cultural Heritage Subcommittee attended a press conference after the World Heritage Committee passed a resolution approving the announcement of the registration of the ancient city of Si Thep as an official World Heritage Site at the 45th Ordinary Meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, acted as head of the Thai delegation attending the meeting during 18 - 19 September 2023.

Pol. Gen. Phatcharavat said that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared the ancient city of Si Thep, Phetchabun Province, a world heritage site. It is a matter of pleasure. It is the pride of every Thai person who owns this cultural heritage. It consists of three interrelated and related cultural heritage sites. It is complete and maintains its originality, including the ancient city of Si Thep, Khao Khlang Nok archaeological site, and Khao Thamorat cave archaeological site, which is under UNESCO criteria 2. It represents the importance of the exchange of human values in a particular period, time or space in any culture of the world through architectural or technological developments, urban planning or landscape design. It includes a third criterion: excellent or unique evidence of a cultural tradition or culture that has survived or disappeared. I would like to invite everyone to experience the beauty of the ancient city of Sri Thep between 20 - 24 September 2023, where it has been announced that the fee will be waived, including visiting the exhibition on Sri Thep and the World Heritage Site at the Issara Winitchai Throne Hall, National Museum from 20 September 2023 to 14 January 2024 to join in celebrating the announcement of the registration of the ancient city of Si Thep as a World Heritage Site this time together.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment, as the central coordinating unit for the World Heritage Convention, has continuously promoted the cultural heritage sites and natural heritage sites of Thailand to be declared World Heritage Sites. This time, we collaborated with the Fine Arts Department and the Ministry of Culture as the area's regulatory agency to prepare a presentation document, resulting in the ancient city of Si Thep being registered as the 4th new world heritage site in Thailand. It will encourage people to cherish and conserve resources that are important capital for generating income for the people in the area. It creates a driving force in the tourism economy as well. After this, the Fine Arts Department will prepare a master plan for the conservation and development of Si Thep Historical Park to support the conservation and further development of the ancient city of Si Thep.

Currently, Thailand has 6 World Heritage Sites, consisting of 3 World Cultural Heritage Sites: the historical cities of Sukhothai - Si Satchanalai - Kamphaeng Phet, the historical city of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and the Ban Chiang archaeological site. Three natural world heritage sites include the Thung Yai Naresuan - Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, the Dong Phaya Yen - Khao Yai forest group area, and the Kaeng Krachan forest group area. There are two cultural and natural heritage sites that are in the process of being promoted to World Heritage status next year: Phu Phra Bat Historical Park and the Andaman Sea Conservation Area.