SURIN — The government has set out a plan to restore Ta Kwai Temple, with work expected to be completed within two years as part of efforts to preserve cultural heritage along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Culture Minister Sabida Thaiset said the Fine Arts Department has already proposed a budget for the restoration project. A detailed survey is scheduled to begin in the 2027 fiscal year, laying the groundwork for conservation and structural rehabilitation of the ancient site.
The temple is one of more than 30 historical sites located along Thailand’s border areas that authorities plan to survey and push for formal registration as national antiquities, according to Fine Arts Department chief Phanomboot Chantharachot.
The restoration plan was announced during a visit to Surin province on 22 April 2026 by Defence Minister Adul Boonthamcharoen and senior officials. The delegation also attended a merit-making ceremony at the Ta Kwai Temple area to honour soldiers in past border clashes, including the 2011 Thai-Cambodian conflict and more recent tensions in 2025.
Officials said the restoration project forms part of a broader strategy to promote the Bak Dai subdistrict as a cultural and historical tourism destination, while ensuring the preservation of national heritage sites.
Authorities added that the initiative aims to strengthen public awareness of local traditions and history, while safeguarding the cultural roots and sovereignty associated with the border region.
