Decision 39 COM 8B.5

Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, Thailand

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC-15/39.COM/8B and WHC-15/39.COM/INF.8B2,
2. Refers the nomination of the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, Thailand, back to the State Party, taking note of the strong potential for this property to meet criterion (x), in order to allow it to:
   1. Address in full the concerns that have been raised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning Karen communities within the Kaeng Krachan National Park including the implementation of a participatory process to resolve rights and livelihoods concerns and to reach the widest possible support of local communities, governmental, non-governmental and private organizations and other stakeholders for the nomination;
   2. Provide updated data on the conservation status of key populations of threatened species, based on the most recent information available, to confirm their viability and contribution to the distinctive global values of the nominated property;
3. Encourages the State Party to consider nominating the property also under criterion (ix);
4. Also encourages the State Party to continue the commendable initiatives on future biological connectivity opportunities including those between the nominated property and Thungyai - Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries in Thailand and, working in partnership with the State Party of Myanmar, between the nominated property and neighbouring transnational protected areas within the Taninthaya Forest Corridor in Myanmar;
5. Commends the State Party and partner NGOs for their efforts to address improved conservation management within the nominated property including improved anti-poaching patrol systems, community engagement in Kui Buri National Park dealing with human/elephant conflict, and enhanced ecological research and monitoring, and encourages the State Party to continue with these efforts;
6. Welcomes the roadmap adopted by the Thai Cabinet on 23 June 2015, with a view to addressing all recommendations made by IUCN for the potential inscription of the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex on the World Heritage List at the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee, taking note that the representatives of the Karen community have recently been included in the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex Management Board.