The Thai government is actively pursuing the designation of Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai as an Asean Heritage Park (AHP), according to Attapol Charoenshunsa, the chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

This initiative was announced during the 12th Asean Heritage Park Committee Meeting (AHPCM), held in Bangkok, where over a hundred representatives from various organizations, including the Asean Secretariat and the Asean Centre for Biodiversity, participated.

Attapol Charoenshunsa emphasized the government's commitment to promoting and preserving the diverse ecosystem and scenic beauty of Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand's highest peak.

To facilitate this nomination, the relevant agencies will collaborate with the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) to gather essential information for the AHP nomination process.

Before the formal submission to the Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME), the nomination must receive approval from both the Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (AWGNCB) and Asean Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN).

According to Mr. Attapol, the entire process is anticipated to take approximately two to three years.

Currently, Thailand has ten designated Asean Heritage Parks, with nine managed by the DNP. These include Khao Yai National Park, Tarutao National Marine Park, Ao Phang Nga National Park, Kaeng Krachan National Park, Hat Chao Mai National Park, Mu Ko Libong Islands, Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, Khao Sok National Park, Nam Naow National Park-Phu Keaw Wildlife Reservation Area, and Phu Kradueng National Park.