Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin held discussions with Mr. Takato Ishida, Governor of Fukui Prefecture of Japan, to strengthen cooperation on geoheritage management and the development of geological and fossil-based tourism between Thailand and Japan.

During the discussion, both agreed to promote cooperation in conserving and developing geoheritage sites and to build networks among natural history museums. Thailand aims to adopt best practices from Fukui Prefecture, which is recognized for its dinosaur fossil discoveries and geoheritage management.

The Minister also assigned Mr. Yongyuth Nakaviroj, Director-General of Department of Mineral Resources, to hold further discussions with Professor Iwasaki Yukimoto, President of Fukui Prefectural University, Professor Nishi Hiroshi, Dean of the Faculty of Dinosaur Paleontology at the university, along with executives and researchers from the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. The meeting ended with both being agreed to advance joint geological and paleontological research, conduct field surveys, and exchange data and fossil specimens.

The collaboration will also focus on upgrading museum administration to international standards, training new researchers, and promoting public science education. This partnership is a significant step in using natural heritage to boost geo-tourism, generate value from natural resources, and support sustainable grassroots economic growth.