The government’s deputy spokesperson rebutted Dr. Supat, confirming that the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark has not had its status revoked. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has set up a task force to urgently address the yellow card, tracking progress monthly and preparing for a re-evaluation in 2027.
14 Nov 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Lalida Pertwiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, commented on the case of Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit, former director of Saba Yoi Hospital and former Songkhla MP candidate for the People's Party, who posted concerns about the status of the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, saying The government would like to clarify that the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark has not been stripped of its UNESCO status but received a "yellow card" evaluation, meaning it must correct deficiencies within two years. Failure to pass the re-evaluation risks a red card and loss of status, so it is incorrect to communicate to the public that Satun’s status has already been revoked.
Ms. Lalida said the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has appointed a task force to drive the re-evaluation of the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, chaired by the deputy director-general of the Department of Mineral Resources, to urgently fix deficiencies based on UNESCO’s recommendations. They will monitor, assess, and report progress to the ministry’s permanent secretary monthly, aiming to upgrade the rating from yellow back to green.
Meanwhile, Satun province has been continuously monitoring problem resolution, including improving management structures, staffing and budgeting, enhancing tourist safety, developing educational media, and promoting community involvement. On 11 Nov 2026, they reviewed UNESCO’s five recommendations covering nine issues and prepared to submit evaluation documents by 31 Jan 2027 before the official re-assessment in May 2027, as per the province’s schedule.
“The government is not ignoring the problem. Receiving a yellow card requires serious urgent correction but does not mean Satun has lost its status. Currently, the ministry, Department of Mineral Resources, and Satun province are actively implementing UNESCO’s recommendations. We ask that critiques be based on complete facts and avoid misleading the public,” she said.
The deputy government spokesperson concluded that Satun UNESCO Global Geopark was Thailand’s first UNESCO-certified geopark in 2018. The government prioritizes preserving this status by genuinely addressing shortcomings in conservation, management, and public participation, preparing for the 2027 re-evaluation, and sustainably safeguarding Thailand’s valuable natural heritage.
Image credit:Facebook page of the Department of Mineral Resources