• 
• 

Published on February 20, 2008

Director Tharapong Srisuchat said his office had surveyed all pagodas and ancient sites since the middle of last year after HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn reportedly expressed concern for the pagoda at Chiang Mai's Phra That Doi Suthep Temple and other pagodas located near fault lines.

Arak Singhitkul, inspector-general of the Culture Ministry, earlier said the Princess instructed the Fine Arts Department to prepare for the restoration of the threatened pagodas.

Based on aerial photographs and GIS data, nine sites were identified as at risk of tremors: Chiang Mai's Mae Ing and Mae Rim, Lampang's Mae Tha, Phrae's Mae Yom, Nan's Pua, Nakhon Phanom's Tha Khaek, Kanchanaburi's Three Pagodas Pass and Surat Thani's Klong Marui.

The office will go into detail about each place's degree of risk and how to prevent impacts and strengthen structures before consulting with the Mineral Resources Department, Tharapong added.

The Nation