Thai Delegation Head Approved to Propose Wat Phra Mahathat for World Heritage

Matichon•General•18d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand approves its delegation head for potential UNESCO World Heritage inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Nakhon Si Thammarat.

•Thailand has approved the composition of its delegation and its stance for the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee.
•The primary agenda item is the inscription of 'Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province' as a cultural World Heritage site.
•The government has also approved the submission of a preliminary assessment document for the 'Phra Phrang Wat Arun Ratchawaram' as a potential World Heritage site.

Overview

•On July 8, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Songsak Thongsri chaired a video conference meeting of the National Committee for the Protection of World Heritage.
•The committee agreed on the Kingdom of Thailand's position and the composition of the Thai delegation for the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee.
•The 48th session of the World Heritage Committee is scheduled to be held from July 19-29, 2026, in Busan, Republic of Korea.
•The committee decided to propose 'Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province' for inscription as a cultural World Heritage site.
•The proposal is based on the site's significant value representing religious diversity, spiritual beliefs, and reflecting religious influence and integrated religious art styles in Southeast Asia for over 1,500 years.
•If inscribed, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan will be Thailand's 6th cultural World Heritage site and 9th World Heritage site overall.
•The committee also approved the submission of a preliminary assessment document for the cultural heritage site 'Phra Phrang Wat Arun Ratchawaram'.
•The committee acknowledged the appointment of expert members to the National Committee for the Protection of World Heritage and the progress of proposals for three cultural heritage sites.

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Key Entities

Person

Mr. Songsak Thongsri(นายทรงศักดิ์ ทองศรี)

Deputy Prime Minister who chaired the meeting of the National Committee for the Protection of World Heritage.

Ms. Sabida Thaiseth(น.ส.ซาบีดา ไทยเศรษฐ์)

Minister of Culture attending the meeting.

Mr. Wichawat Isarapakdi(นายวิชาวัฒน์ อิศรภักดี)

Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs attending the meeting.

Dr. Rawiwan Bhuridej(ดร.รวีวรรณ ภูริเดช)

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and vice-chairman of the meeting.

Mr. Prasert Sirinaporn(นายประเสริฐ ศิรินภาพร)

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment attending the meeting.

Mr. Bannarak Sermthong(นายบรรณรักษ์ เสริมทอง)

Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning and committee secretary.

Mr. Suchat Chomklin(นายสุชาติ ชมกลิ่น)

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment designated as the head of the Thai delegation.

Thai Ambassador to Paris(เอกอัครราชทูตไทย ณ กรุงปารีส)

Designated as the deputy head of the Thai delegation.

Organization

National Committee for the Protection of World Heritage(คณะกรรมการแห่งชาติว่าด้วยอนุสัญญาคุ้มครองมรดกโลก)

The committee that convened to discuss World Heritage nominations and related matters.

World Heritage Committee(คณะกรรมการมรดกโลกสมัยสามัญ)ℹ️

The governing body that will review proposals for World Heritage inscription.

World Heritage Centre(ศูนย์มรดกโลก)ℹ️

The body that will review the preliminary assessment document for Phra Phrang Wat Arun Ratchawaram.

Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP)(สำนักงานนโยบายและแผนทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม (สผ.))

The agency responsible for coordinating with the secretariat of the sub-committees for cultural and natural heritage.

Place

Busan, Republic of Korea(นครปูซาน สาธารณรัฐเกาหลี)ℹ️

The location where the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee will be held.

Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province(วัดพระมหาธาตุวรมหาวิหาร จังหวัดนครศรีธรรมราช)

A temple proposed for inscription as a cultural World Heritage site.

Phra Phrang Wat Arun Ratchawaram, Identity of Rattanakosin(พระปรางค์วัดอรุณราชวราราม อัตลักษณ์แห่งกรุงรัตนโกสินทร์)

A cultural heritage site for which a preliminary assessment document is being submitted.

Monuments, Sites and Cultural Landscapes of Chiang Mai, the Capital of Lanna(อนุสรณ์สถาน แหล่งต่างๆ และภูมิทัศน์วัฒนธรรมของเชียงใหม่ นครหลวงของล้านนา)

One of three cultural heritage sites whose progress has been noted for potential World Heritage inscription.

Phra That Phanom, Historical Structures and Related Landscapes(พระธาตุพนม กลุ่มสิ่งก่อสร้างทางประวัติศาสตร์ และภูมิทัศน์ที่เกี่ยวข้อง)

Another cultural heritage site whose progress has been noted for potential World Heritage inscription.