Ministry to seek heritage status for ancient cities

The site is called the Transboundary of Archaeological Urban Complex of Chiang Saen and Suvannakhomkham.

"It is between 500 and 600 years old," Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said yesterday, and is where Chinese and Indian civilisations blended with local tradition into unique, outstanding cultures - precursors of today's Thailand and the Lao PDR.

"The Fine Arts Department is compiling relevant information. It is expected to complete the task next year, after which we will seek worldheritage status from Unesco," the culture minister said.

 Teera said the department would also compile information for worldheritage consideration for four other historic sites: the Srivijaya - Nakhon Si Thammarat  Sathingphra cultural route in the south;  Lannacivilisation icons in the north; the cultural landscape along the Chao Phaya River in the Central region; and Prince Narisara Nuvativongse's architectural works from the Rattanakosin period.

"Prince Naris created many architectural [wonders] including the Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit)," Teera said.

He disclosed Thailand planned to ask the Unesco World Heritage Centre to consider tentative worldheritage status for Phimai castle in the northeastern province of Udon Thani,the Phu Phrabat historical park, and the Phimai castle  Phanom Rung castle - Muang Tam sanctuary cultural route, next year.

"If the centre gives the green light, our applications will be tabled before the World Heritage Committee in mid2011," Teera added.

Tarapong Srisuchart, who heads the Culture Ministry's Office of Archaeology, said his office would hold hearings for people living near the Phimai castle before submitting the application to Unesco's World Heritage Centre.