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Published on August 12, 2007

Air Vice Marshal Sehadej Hongnakorn said yesterday the Royal Thai Air Force planned to renovate the stupa, Pra Maha That Napa Naphamethanidon.

"The damage that we found was caused by cool weather, rainwater and humidity. This has affected the inside of the structure and destroyed mosaics and tiles," he said.

Pra Maha That Napa Naphamethanidon was constructed in 1987 to commemorate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King.

Another stupa, Pra Maha That Naphapholphumisiri, which is located beside the first stupa, has suffered no damage.

Doi Inthanon is the highest peak in Thailand at 2,146 metres above sea level.

The height of the stupa is 60 metres, and the inside contains relics of the Lord Buddha.

The mosaic and marble

which cover the 20-year-old stupa are easily damaged by weather conditions and erosion. Many tiles have split or fallen to the ground.

Air Chief Marshal Pornchai Ramkomut, chairman of the Pra Maha That Napa Naphame-thanidon and Naphapholphum-siri Foundation, said the restoration project had been initiated to celebrate His Majesty's 80th birthday this year. Work will start in December.

He asked members of the public to make donations to the project, which requires a budget of Bt60 million, according to the Fine Arts Department.

"The Royal Thai Air Force has asked the Fine Arts Department to give advice on the restoration plan and construction expenses. The project will start in December because the foundation lacks funds to begin right away," Pornchai said.

Meanwhile Wiharn Wat Sao Hin, an ancient temple in Chiang Mai City, has been found to have damage at the base of the principal Buddha image inside the temple.

Pra Boonsong Kanatad-hammo, abbot at Wat Sao Hin, said the damage had been caused by earthquakes which happened frequently in Chiang Mai province and affected the 100-year-old temple.

Most bricks and some wall areas were broken or had fallen to the ground. He estimated it would cost Bt10 million to reconstruct the temple.

Pongphon Sarnsamak,

Pongmanus Tasiri

The Nation