CHACHOENGSAO — 24 May 2026, workers excavating beneath a damaged ancient stupa at a temple in eastern Thailand discovered dozens of historic Buddha statues hidden inside four underground chambers, with monks estimating the artefacts to be more than 100 years old.

The discovery was made at Wat Laem Tai in Na Mueang subdistrict of Chachoengsao province as construction workers prepared to relocate and restore the old stupa after cracks and structural tilting raised safety concerns.

Excavation work entered its second day on Saturday after workers uncovered several Rattanakosin-era Buddha statues made from brass and silver during the first day of digging.

Additional small Buddha statues made from wood, brass and silver-coated metal were also found on Saturday and were later moved for safekeeping inside the residence of a former abbot at the temple.

Phra Khru Thammathon Chamlong Rojanathammo, abbot of Wat Laem Tai, said the stupa was believed to date back to the reigns of King Rama III or King Rama IV, making it more than a century old.

He said it remained unclear whether the stupa existed before the temple was established or whether the temple had later been built around it. The temple itself was officially founded in 1933.

The abbot said elderly residents in the community recalled seeing the stupa since childhood. He added that Phra Thammapariyatmuni, an 88-year-old Buddhist scholar and former abbot of Wat Pitulatirangsan, had inspected the artefacts and believed them to belong to the early Rattanakosin period based on their artistic style and materials.

Temple officials said the stupa had initially been scheduled for relocation using structural lifting methods, but excavation became necessary after workers discovered that the ancient foundation extended deep underground.

During the digging, workers found four small chamber-like cavities beneath the base containing large numbers of hidden Buddha statues.

The temple said the artefacts would later be cleaned, preserved and displayed in the temple museum for worship and historical study.

The abbot also said local residents had already approached the temple seeking to rent or purchase some of the statues after news of the discovery spread, but insisted the artefacts would remain temple property and would not be made available for commercial purposes.

Some residents visiting the site on Saturday said they believed the discovery was auspicious, with some attempting to interpret lucky numbers from the uncovered artefacts ahead of Thailand’s next lottery draw.

MAE HONG SON — 24 May 2026, A group of abandoned Lanna-era pagoda ruins, believed to be at least 400 years old, have been found deep in a forested area of Mae Hong Son province, prompting authorities to begin surveying the site for conservation

The Mae Hong Son Provincial Public Relations Office reported Sunday that Mae Hong Son Gov. Wiboon Waewbandit led officials to inspect ancient sites in Mueang Mae Hong Son and Khun Yuam districts to gather preliminary information, assess the condition of the areas and plan conservation measures.

On 23 May, Gov. Wiboon, together with Deputy Gov. Udomsak Khaonuna, heads of government agencies, the Mueang Mae Hong Son and Khun Yuam district chiefs and related officials, visited the sites to verify information on the ground.

The team first travelled to Ban Mai Hung, Huai Pong subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son district, after receiving reports from the village headman, local residents and teachers in the area. Information about the discovery of abandoned Lanna-era pagoda ruins had also been shared on Facebook.

Officials found that the ruins, believed to be at least 400 years old, still retain clearly visible structures. The site includes two ancient stupas and one building-like structure.

The first stupa is locally known as Doi Kong Mu Ban Mai Hung, while the second is known as Doi Kong Mu Kham Soeng. Along the survey route between the first and second stupas, officials also found traces of several other ancient building structures scattered across the area.

Authorities said the discoveries reflect the historical and archaeological value of the area and may provide important evidence of earlier settlement and civilisation before the establishment of Mae Hong Son province.

Deputy Gov. Udomsak and officials later travelled to the Doi Wiang La Wildlife Sanctuary office in Khun Yuam subdistrict, Khun Yuam district, to study a natural trail and inspect an archaeological site containing stone circles. Local residents refer to the formations as “wong tee kai,” or cockfighting rings.

The stone circles are scattered across several points in the area, with the largest measuring about 10 and 12 metres in diameter. Officials said the formations may indicate traces of past communities that once lived in the area.

Following the inspection, Gov. Wiboon instructed relevant agencies to gather preliminary information, assess the condition of the sites and draft conservation guidelines. The province will also coordinate with the Fine Arts Department to plan the long-term preservation and sustainable development of Mae Hong Son’s ancient sites.