Bid to put Thais on world heritage panel

The 12 committee members of the World Heritage Committee - including two from Asia - end their terms soon. The Culture Ministry has met with the Education Ministry and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to find candidates to present before the committee's meeting in Paris, in early October.

Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said yesterday having Thai representatives on the major committee was important. They would be promoters of Thai culture conservation to the world, as well negotiators on issues such as the Preah Vihear Temple and Thailand's bid to host a World Heritage Committee conference. The Culture Ministry had already selected two suitable persons, he said.

Meanwhile, former chairman of the National World Heritage Committee, Pongpol Adireksarn said he had consulted with the Fine Arts Department to propose the Pimai, Panom Rung, Muang Tam ruins as world heritage sites - but a master plan must be drawn up first.

The Pimai ruins,he said, were the prototype for all Khmer temples. Because villagers had settled in the Pimai ruins' area, the idea of "living heritage site" was being considered so people wouldn't need to move out but could be part of the conservation campaign.