Marine expert urges review of Andaman World Heritage bid, Land Bridge plan

Marine scientist Thon Thamrongnawasawat on April 29 called for a careful assessment of whether the Andaman World Heritage nomination or the Land Bridge project would bring greater long-term economic value, arguing Thailand should weigh both options against facts. His remarks are directly relevant to Phuket because Sirinat National Park is among the protected areas included in the proposed Andaman marine World Heritage site.

UNESCO listing covers six Andaman national parks

Thon said the “Andaman marine protected areas” were placed on UNESCO’s Tentative List in 2022 after Thailand submitted the nomination three years ago. The proposed site covers more than 700,000 rai across six national parks on the Andaman coast.

The parks named in the proposal are Mu Ko Ranong National Park, Laem Son National Park in Ranong and Phang Nga, Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phang Nga, Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park in Phang Nga, Mu Ko Surin-Mu Ko Similan-Laem Son and nearby areas, and Sirinat National Park in Phuket.

He said World Heritage status is widely recognized by international travelers and could sharply increase tourism value in the upper Andaman region, where Phuket and Phang Nga have long been central to Thailand’s tourism economy and Ranong still has room to expand.

Conservation questions raised over Land Bridge planning

Thon said he was not opposing development or arguing for conservation without regard to the economy, but asking a straightforward question about which option could make the country richer. He said the issue should be evaluated through reasoned analysis and acceptance of facts rather than competing slogans.

He also pointed to what he described as a gap in the EHIA documents for the Land Bridge project, saying they do not address the World Heritage area despite the nomination having been before UNESCO for three years.

Source: https://www.prachachat.net/economy/news-1999578