Culture Minister Inspects Wat Phra Mahathat Ahead Of World Heritage Status
Thailand's Culture Minister inspected Wat Phra Mahathat in Nakhon Si Thammarat on July 6 to prepare the temple for World Heritage listing at a UNESCO committee meeting in South Korea later this month. If approved, it would become Southern T
Nakhon Si Thammarat — Culture Minister Sabida Thaiset inspected Wat Phra Mahathat Wormahavihar in Nakhon Si Thammarat province on July 6 to prepare for its World Heritage listing. She met with officials from the Fine Arts Department, provincial authorities, and relevant agencies, including Fine Arts Department Director Panom Boonboonchoti and Provincial Governor Somchai Lehlamnoi.
After the meeting, Thaiset disclosed that the World Heritage Center has invited Thailand to participate in the 48th ordinary session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled for July 19-29 in Busan, South Korea. The temple will be proposed for World Heritage status based on its outstanding universal value (OUV), demonstrating the fusion of Hindu Brahmanical, Mahayana Buddhist, and Theravada Buddhist religions across Central and Southeast Asia.
The temple exhibits art and architecture, religious traditions, and local influences that shaped regional structures and meets World Heritage criteria. It reflects Hindu, Mahayana, and Theravada Buddhist influences with prototypes from Pala art in Nalanda, Central Java, Lanka, and Mon influences from Myanmar, affecting religious structures throughout Thailand, Malaysia, and elsewhere.
Thaiset expressed satisfaction that, if approved, Wat Phra Mahathat Wormahavihar would become the first World Heritage site in Southern Thailand. The Fine Arts Department and Nakhon Si Thammarat province are preparing grand celebrations throughout July.
Before formal approval, historical exhibitions about the temple and its World Heritage nomination process will be displayed, with public celebrations scheduled for July 26-27. Events include Buddhist chanting, Dharma recitation, cultural performances including Manora dance, multimedia light and sound shows depicting temple legends, and illumination of the pagoda.
The city will be decorated under the theme "Wat Phra Mahathat Wormahavihar: Faith and City, World Heritage and Humanity." Post-approval celebrations will include panel discussions, Khon dance performances, local cultural shows, and Loy Krathong ceremonies. Discussions also covered management of the World Heritage site and status reporting.
