1,500-Year-Old Thai Temple Seeks World Heritage Status

World Heritage
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is the main Buddhist temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in southern Thailand. (Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan's Journey to World Heritage Facebook Page)

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — The Thai Cabinet has approved a proposal to nominate Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, a historic Buddhist temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, for UNESCO World Heritage status. The nomination highlights the temple’s exceptional cultural value and its 1,500-year history as a significant religious center in Southeast Asia.

Deputy government spokesperson Nukul Prueksanusak announced that the temple meets crucial UNESCO criteria, demonstrating outstanding cultural exchange across various religious traditions. The temple complex showcases architectural influences from Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism, reflecting cultural connections with India, Sri Lanka, and southern Myanmar.

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Historic photo of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province (europeana.eu)

“The temple’s architecture represents a remarkable fusion of various styles, including Javanese, Central Thai, Sri Lankan, and Mon artistic traditions,” Prueksanusak explained. “This diversity perfectly illustrates the rich religious and architectural exchanges that have shaped the region.”

The temple complex, centered around its iconic stupa, continues to serve as a vital religious and cultural hub. It maintains numerous unique local traditions, including the ceremonial wrapping of cloth around the stupa, Nora dance performances, ancestral worship rituals, Brahmanical ceremonies, and various local art forms.

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Ceremony of Wrapping Cloth Around the Great Stupa is an ancient Buddhist tradition that has been passed down through generations. During this ceremony, which takes place on Makha Bucha Day, devotees wrap sacred cloth around the Great Relics Stupa.

The nomination process will involve detailed analysis of legal frameworks for protection and management, including national laws on ancient monuments, urban planning regulations, and building control acts. The government anticipates that UNESCO World Heritage status would significantly boost tourism, with visitor numbers expected to increase by approximately 35% post-registration.

Chaichana Dejdecho, Democrat Party deputy leader and MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat, expressed the local community’s excitement about the nomination, which comes after a decade-long wait since the site’s inclusion on UNESCO’s tentative list in 2013. “This nomination represents a crucial step in recognizing our rich cultural heritage,” Dejdecho stated.

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Tourists visit Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, the main Buddhist temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in southern Thailand. The Thai Cabinet approved a proposal on Jan. 29, 2025, to nominate the Buddhist temple for UNESCO World Heritage status.

The nomination documents will be submitted to the World Heritage Center in France by February 1, with initial review results expected by March 1, 2025. If approved, UNESCO experts will conduct a detailed year-long study, followed by an on-site inspection in early 2026. The final decision will be made by the UNESCO committee following these evaluations.

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The nominated site encompasses the temple’s entire grounds, including both the Buddhist sanctuary (Buddhavas) and the monks’ living quarters (Sanghavas), with the ancient stupa serving as the central monument. This sacred structure has undergone multiple restorations since its original construction, maintaining its significance as a living cultural and religious center.

Local officials anticipate that World Heritage status would not only preserve this important cultural site but also stimulate the local economy through increased tourism, creating new opportunities for local businesses and strengthening community appreciation for their cultural heritage.

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