Fine Arts Department Opens Permanent Phra Mahathat Exhibition
Phra Mahathat Temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat became Thailand's sixth UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Fine Arts Department opening a permanent exhibition on July 26 to showcase the sacred Buddhist monument through multimedia displays and
The Fine Arts Department opened a permanent exhibition at Phra Mahathat Temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat on July 26, 2025, with Fine Arts Director Panombutr Chanthrachote announcing that the temple is now Thailand's sixth UNESCO World Heritage Site. The director expressed confidence that both Thai and international visitors will flock to the temple, bringing significant economic benefits to the region. The Fine Arts Department will continue restoration efforts in collaboration with Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, ensuring all development complies with UNESCO standards and does not diminish the temple's value.
To commemorate the UNESCO designation and mark the centennial of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birth on December 5, 2026, the department has opened a new permanent exhibition room at Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum, the first national museum in Southern Thailand. The exhibition presents the Phra Mahathat Chedi through modern multimedia displays and scale models, showcasing its historical significance as a major Buddhist center in the southern peninsula and the history of Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn Temple.
The exhibition introduces the sacred site as a spiritual focal point for Nakhon Si Thammarat residents and southern Thais, with sections detailing the chedi's history and importance in Thai Buddhism. Officials hope the exhibition will attract more tourists, generate local income, and serve as both a learning resource and tourist destination. The Fine Arts Department also expressed hopes that Chiang Mai will achieve World Heritage status in 2027, continuing Thailand's momentum of UNESCO recognitions.
