Suchart Praises Wat Phra Mahathat World Heritage Status, Urges Critics to Avoid Politics
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin highlights the journey of securing UNESCO World Heritage status for Wat Phra Mahathat across five administrations.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Wat Phra Mahathat in Nakhon Si Thammarat has been officially named a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- The application process spanned across five different government administrations since 2019.
- Plans are underway to propose seven temples in Chiang Mai as the next World Heritage site.
On July 27, 2026, at Government House, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin addressed the unanimous decision by the World Heritage Committee to register Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province as a new cultural World Heritage site, describing it as a major cultural triumph for Thailand endorsed by international committee representatives.
Suchart stated that he observed the meeting proceedings in Busan, South Korea, alongside Minister of Culture Sabida Thaiseth and related government agencies. The initiative to pursue World Heritage status has been ongoing through five administrations, beginning in 2019 under Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, followed by Srettha Thavisin, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and continuing into the first and second administrations of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Achieving this milestone was exceptionally difficult, given that Wat Phra Mahathat boasts a 1,500-year history and houses 32,000 ancient artifacts. Thailand was required to photograph all 32,000 items as part of UNESCO's criteria. Furthermore, the Prime Minister placed great importance on the project, and the Director-General of UNESCO previously visited Thailand to receive accurate information.
Securing global recognition for cultural sites from UNESCO involves rigorous historical assessment and meticulous administrative coordination. Managing tens of thousands of artifacts demonstrates a robust national commitment that not only elevates heritage preservation to international standards but also significantly boosts long-term cultural tourism.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Suchart further revealed plans to nominate seven temples surrounding the city wall in Chiang Mai Province for World Heritage listing, a concept similar to Luang Prabang in Laos, with the initiative currently awaiting a site inspection by UNESCO. He emphasized that this success stems entirely from the close collaboration between local communities and regional leaders.
"However, some individuals may not be pleased with the acquisition of the World Heritage status, which should not happen in this atmosphere. We must be mature and not turn the joy of the entire nation into a political matter."
Suchart Chomklin
The minister urged critics not to politicize the achievement, noting a dramatic surge in visitors during festivals like Visak Puja or Makha Puja, where attendance jumped from 30,000 daily visitors to 200,000 following the World Heritage news coverage, proving that the benefits ultimately belong to the Thai public.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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