via Bangkok Post, 05 February 2020: A Phetchabun provincial official raises alarm over pollution from sugarcane plantation burning which may endanger the future bid to list Si Thep as a Unesco World Heritage site.
Air pollution caused by open burning in sugar cane plantations has jeopardised chances for Si Thep Historical Park to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, according to Wisan Kositanont, chairman of Phetchabun Provincial Cultural Council.
Haze from the burning has blanketed the community recently and black dust, dubbed “black snow”, has been falling in the Si Thep Historical Park which is believed to have existed for 1,700 years.
“That severe air pollution might lessen the chance for Thailand to make this ancient site Unesco World Heritage listed. It shows that we lack measures to manage pollution and protect the heritage,” Mr Wisan said.
