SURIN — 12 May 2026, Thailand’s Fine Arts Department has officially added several historical sites in Surin province to the national register of ancient monuments, including the Ta Muen and Ta Kwai temple complexes near the Cambodian border.
The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette on 12 May under a Fine Arts Department declaration listing protected ancient sites across Surin province.
The declaration cited the Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums Act of 1961, as amended in 1992, which defines ancient monuments as immovable properties of artistic, historical or archaeological significance, including archaeological sites, historical sites and historical parks.
The department said the listing was intended to provide clearer legal protection for ancient monuments under Thai heritage conservation laws.
The newly registered sites are as follows:
Kap Choeng district
• Prasat Mon Charoen
• Prasat Beng
• Prasat Chem
• Prasat Nong Khana (also known as Prasat Nong Khanna, Prasat Khana or Prasat Nong Khanai)
Bua Chet district
• Prasat O Thalan
Phanom Dong Rak district
• Prasat Ban Nong Khanna
• Prasat Ta Muen (also known as Prasat Bay Krim)
• Prasat Ta Kwai (also referred to as Prasat Ta Wai)
Sangkha district
• Prasat Tao Thong
The declaration was signed on 9 April 2026 by Fine Arts Department director-general Phanomboot Chanthachot.
