Thailand Backs Nakhon Si Temple For World Heritage Status
Thailand is backing Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat for UNESCO World Heritage status, which would recognize the 1,500-year-old temple's significance to religious diversity across South and Southeast Asia. The temple
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak presided over the first national committee meeting on world heritage convention protection in 2569 on July 8 at Government House. Culture Minister Sabida Thaisarot, Foreign Ministry Deputy Prasert Sirinnaparp, and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Raviwann Phuridet served as deputy chairs, with officials from related agencies attending.
The committee approved Thailand's position and delegation composition for the 48th World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan, South Korea (July 19-29, 2569). Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin will lead the Thai delegation, with Thailand's Ambassador to France as deputy head.
A major agenda item is registering Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural world heritage site under criteria 2 and 6, recognizing its significance as an expression of religious diversity and spiritual beliefs with religious artistic influences spanning over 1,500 years across South and Southeast Asia. If approved, it would become Thailand's sixth cultural heritage site and ninth world heritage site overall.
The committee also approved submitting a preliminary assessment document for Prang Wat Arun in Bangkok as a cultural heritage candidate to the World Heritage Centre. Additionally, the meeting acknowledged progress on three other potential cultural heritage nominations: Chiang Mai monuments and landscapes, and Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom province.
