Thailand Awaits World Heritage Decision on Nakhon Si Thammarat Temple
Thailand awaits the World Heritage Committee's decision this month on whether to designate Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural World Heritage Site, which would be the country's first such recognition in the
Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin announced on July 16 that Thailand has just 10 days left before the World Heritage Committee decides on the nomination of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural World Heritage Site. The decision will be made during the 48th ordinary session of the World Heritage Committee, held July 19-29, 2024 in Busan, South Korea.
Chomklin revealed that Prime Minister Anuthine Charnvirakul has appointed him to lead the Thai delegation, alongside Dr. Raveevan Phooridetch, Permanent Secretary of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. The team will advocate for the temple's inscription, a crucial mission to gain international recognition of Thailand's cultural heritage.
Chomklin emphasized that the nomination represents the hopes of all Thai people, as Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn is a vital Buddhist religious center of the Thai peninsula, reflecting regional cultural and civilizational exchange. The temple boasts over 1,500 years of continuous history, art, and beliefs that meet UNESCO's criteria for Outstanding Universal Value.
If approved, the temple will become Thailand's sixth cultural World Heritage Site, its ninth World Heritage Site overall, and the first in southern Thailand. Chomklin called on all Thai citizens to support the delegation and anticipate this historic recognition, noting that success would bring pride to the entire nation and ensure this invaluable heritage endures for future generations.
