Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is nominating Chiang Mai's Doi Inthanon National Park as an ASEAN Heritage Park, a move aimed at strengthening conservation efforts and boosting eco-tourism in the region. An on-site evaluation by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is currently underway from 16–18 September 2026.

Spanning over 296,922.22 rai (approximately 47,508 hectares), Doi Inthanon is home to Thailand's highest peak at 2,565 meters above sea level, with natural forest covering an impressive 89.5% of the park. It also serves as a critical watershed for the Ping River, generating more than 540 million cubic meters of water each year — a vital resource for over 35 villages and 74 communities.

The park boasts exceptionally high biodiversity, sheltering at least 1,271 plant species and 393 wildlife species, including rare, endemic, and endangered animals such as the goral, serow, and white-handed gibbon.

Furthermore, over 40.48% of the park lies within Class 1 watershed protection zones that require rigorous conservation. If it successfully passes the ACB evaluation and subsequent regional review stages, Doi Inthanon will become Thailand's 11th ASEAN Heritage Park.

If Doi Inthanon successfully passes the ACB evaluation and subsequent regional review, it will become Thailand's 11th ASEAN Heritage Park. This recognition would reinforce the country's leadership in regional biodiversity conservation while supporting eco-tourism, scientific research, and sustainable community development.