Dr. Raweewan Bhuridej, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), presided over the Fossil Protection Committee Meeting No. 1/2026 today at 2:00 p.m. The meeting was attended by Mr. Yongyut Naawirojorn of the Department of Mineral Resources, serving as a committee member, and Mr. Suwapak Im-samut, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources, acting as committee member and secretary, alongside representatives from relevant agencies at Meeting Room 17, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Building.

The meeting acknowledged reports on the status of protection, conservation, and management of fossil sites. This included the performance reports from the Fossil Management Fund Executive Committee and the Fossil Management Fund Monitoring and Evaluation Committee. Furthermore, the meeting noted the operational progress reported by the Fossil Subcommittee, reflecting systematic advancement across policy dimensions, budget administration, and regulatory monitoring.

Additionally, the meeting deliberated on several key agendas, including the (Draft) Order to Appoint the Subcommittee on Paleontological Sites and the Fossil Subcommittee, and the consideration of the (Draft) Integrated Development Plan for the Tham Kraduk Mammal Fossil Site in Thung Yai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The deliberations further encompassed the formal designation of the aforementioned area as a registered fossil site and the official declaration of registered fossils—identified as rare and exceptionally valuable specimens—as national treasures for the fiscal year 2026.

Dr. Raweewan Bhuridej, MNRE’s Permanent Secretary, stated that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, through the Department of Mineral Resources, is committed to developing the Tham Kraduk fossil site into a significant geological tourism destination in Thailand. The strategy emphasizes a balanced management approach between conservation and utilization to create economic added value in the area, stimulate tourism, and attract both Thai and international visitors. Such initiatives are intended to drive the grassroots economy and generate sustainable long-term income for the local community.