Communities along the railway tracks in Ayutthaya are raising alarms over the proposed high-speed train station, citing its potential to disrupt their livelihoods and threaten the historic city’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while critics argue that, without meticulous planning and reassessment, the project risks irreparably altering a site of global cultural significance.

Songkhla's bid for World Heritage status could boost the city's stagnant economy, but multicultural communities fear their ways of life may be left out by the monolithic preservation plan.

<p>The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) issued a statement following the inscription of the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex as World Heritage site acknowledging the World Heritage Committee&#39;s decision and emphasise that nature conservation must respect the rights of indigenous peoples to the territories they have traditionally owned and used.</p>

<p>The Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex was named a natural World Heritage site during the World Heritage Committee meeting on 26 July despite ongoing concerns about human rights violations against indigenous communities in the forest area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Thai government is insisting on nominating the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex for World Heritage status despite a recommendation from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for the nomination to be postponed due to concerns regarding human rights violations against indigenous communities in the area</p>

<p>Thailand&rsquo;s nomination of the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex for World Heritage status should once again be deferred due to concerns about violations of the rights of local indigenous communities, says the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).</p>

<p>Members of the indigenous Karen communities living near the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex have raised concerns over unresolved community rights issues ahead of the Thai government&rsquo;s 4th nomination of the forest for world heritage status in 2021.</p>