Bangkok: Thais are preparing for promising news as 'Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan' is on the verge of being designated a World Heritage Site. Mr. Suchart Chomklin, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, announced that Dr. Raveewan Phuridej, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, has indicated that Thailand is likely to receive positive news at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee. The session is scheduled to occur from July 19-29, 2026, in Busan, South Korea, where the committee will consider nominating the temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat province for inscription as a World Heritage Site. A decision is anticipated between July 24-26, 2026.
According to Thai News Agency, the advisory body of the World Heritage Committee has proposed this nomination, acknowledging the temple's outstanding historical value. Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is noted for its reflection of religious diversity, beliefs, and spirituality that have thrived for over 1,500 years, serving as a key center for the spread of religious and cultural influence in the Maritime Asian region.
The Minister emphasized that this progress stems from a decade-long effort involving various sectors. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has tasked the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONREP) and the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment to work alongside the province and relevant agencies. Their focus has been on advancing academic research, conservation, and area management in line with international standards.
If Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan achieves World Heritage status, it will become Thailand's ninth site and the country's sixth cultural World Heritage Site, marking the first cultural site in the South. This achievement would not only be a matter of national pride but also aligns with government policies aimed at using cultural heritage to foster creative energy, boost economic growth, enhance tourism, and support sustainable community development while conserving national assets.
The government, led by the Prime Minister, is committed to conserving, restoring, and enhancing the country's natural and cultural treasures to build national pride. It also aims to promote soft power and elevate tourism quality to an international level.