Satun Province (Thailand) – April 21, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has confirmed the designation of approximately half of Satun Province as Thailand's first Global Geopark due to its well-known natural beauty and geological significance.

The UNESCO Executive Board in Paris has recognized 13 new sites worldwide, which have special geological, ecological, archaeological and cultural value, as new UNESCO Global Geoparks.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), welcomed the nomination of Satun Geopark as Thailand's first UNESCO Global Geopark and highlighted Satun's rich geographical and cultural diversity.

“Satun is attracting new visitors who are excited by the prospect of diverse, authentic Thai experiences and the province’s rich natural beauty and cultural diversity. The UNESCO designation is a great honor that can contribute to sustainable tourism growth, and the TAT believes this is definitely an achievement to be supported and celebrated.”

The UNESCO website describes the Satun Geopark area as "a peaceful place of outstanding natural beauty." It states: "The area is known both in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia for its wealth and high diversity of fossil species, as well as for having the oldest sequence of fossils."

“Prasat Hin Panyod is probably the most important geological site in the Geopark. The outstanding geological features of this site are characterized by a spectacular karst landscape with rock pinnacles, including an impressive sea cave and a hidden lagoon that tourists can explore by kayak,” the statement continued.

The UNESCO Global Geopark Satun is located entirely within the province of Satun in southern Thailand. It spans four districts (Thungwa, La-ngu, Manang, and part of Mueang Satun) and encompasses two national parks and a wildlife reserve. Elevations reach up to 732 meters, and temperatures range from 23°C to 34°C. Mountains and hill ranges characterize the eastern and northern areas, while beaches and offshore islands dominate the portion of the geopark located in the Andaman Sea.

The UNESCO Global Geopark Satun has a population of approximately 113,110, predominantly of Thai origin. It is known as a peaceful place of outstanding natural beauty, where diverse cultures and religious groups – Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians – as well as minority groups, live together harmoniously.

Economic activities are primarily based on agriculture, fishing, tourism, and small local businesses. The geopark promotes close cooperation and networking between the local population, communities, and governments, particularly in the areas of geoconservation, geotourism, and education.