Nakhon si thammarat: Wat Phra Mahathat is in contention to be registered as a World Heritage Site. Thais are eagerly awaiting news! Wat Phra Mahathat in Nakhon Si Thammarat is set to be considered for World Heritage status this July. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture is proceeding with the submission of Wat Arun Ratchawararam in Chiang Mai for UNESCO consideration.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sabida Thaiseth, Minister of Culture, chaired the first meeting of the Sub-Committee on Cultural World Heritage in 2026 to follow up on the progress of Thailand's nominations for World Heritage sites. Attendees included Mr. Prasop Riangngern, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture; Mr. Parmes Potharakul, Advisor to the Minister of Culture; Mr. Phanombut Chantharachote, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department; expert committee members; Fine Arts Department executives; and other relevant parties. The meeting was held at the conference center on the 8th floor of the Wisit Cultural Building, Ministry of Culture, and via Zoom Meeting.
The Minister of Culture stated that Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat province is preparing for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 48th session, held from July 19-29, 2026, in Busan, South Korea. The results of the decision are expected to be announced between July 25-27, 2026. If inscribed, it will be another source of pride for all Thais and a significant step in elevating Thai cultural heritage to an international level.
Regarding 'Chiang Mai, the Capital of Lanna,' the process of evaluating the nomination for World Heritage status is currently underway. Experts from ICOMOS are scheduled to conduct an on-site assessment between August 3-8, 2026, before submitting the nomination to the World Heritage Committee for consideration in 2027. As for 'Wat Arun Ratchawararam, the Identity of Rattanakosin,' the meeting agreed to submit the nomination documents to the World Heritage Centre by September 15, 2026, in preparation for submission to UNESCO.