Bangkok: The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) has announced progress in the effort to have 'Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan' in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province registered as a world heritage site. ICOMOS is preparing to dispatch experts to inspect and evaluate the site soon.
According to Thai News Agency, Mrs. Chayanan Phakdijit, Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), stated that following the Cabinet's resolution on January 28, 2025, which approved the submission of Wat Phra Mahathat as a cultural world heritage site, ONEP received communication from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). ICOMOS, serving as an advisory body to the World Heritage Committee on Cultural Affairs, confirmed that experts will be sent to Thailand to assess the feasibility of the registration. ONEP will coordinate with relevant agencies to determine an appropriate time to officially welcome the experts.
The assessment will encompass the Phra Mahathat Temple and its surrounding buffer zone. It will involve consultations with government agencies, private sectors, citizens, and educational institutions to gather comprehensive data before submitting it to the World Heritage Committee for the next stage of consideration.
Thailand highlights the universal value of Wat Phra Mahathat as a hub of religious diversity, spiritual continuity, and art, merging influences from Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism. This is reflected in its distinct architecture, rituals, and local traditions, such as the procession of cloth up to the chedi, Nora performances, Brahman ceremonies, and ancestor worship, which have been sustained for over 1,500 years.
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (ONEP) encourages the residents of Nakhon Si Thammarat to warmly welcome the expert group. This initiative aims to collectively communicate the significance of Wat Phra Mahathat to gain international recognition and to advocate for its designation as a cultural world heritage site in the South.