Ministry of Culture Advances Songkhla Sites for World Heritage Status

Bangkok: The Ministry of Culture is advancing its efforts to secure World Heritage status for "Songkhla Sites," with plans to submit the necessary documentation to the World Heritage Center by September 15, 2026. This initiative is spearheaded by the Sub-Committee on Cultural World Heritage, which is actively working on sites in Songkhla and its surrounding communities along Songkhla Lake. According to Thai News Agency, the second meeting of the Subcommittee on Cultural World Heritage, chaired by Ms. Sabida Thaiseth, the Minister of Culture, was held at the Ministry's conference center. During the meeting, two critical documents were approved for submission to the World Heritage Centre: the application for Preliminary Assessment of Songkhla sites and related communities along Songkhla Lake. The four areas being proposed are the ancient cities of Phang Yang, Pha Kho, Si Yang, the ancient city of Sathing Phra, Fort Singora at Khao Daeng, and Old Songkhla and Bo Yang. The meeting also discussed a report on the conservation status of the Si Thep Ancient City World Heritage Site, which includes Dvaravati-era monuments. The World Heritage Committee previously resolved that Thailand should expand the World Heritage site's boundaries and revise the comprehensive town plans for Si Thep and Wichian Buri to ensure protection. Efforts detailed in the report include land acquisition, environmental mapping, and discussions on concession guidelines. The report will be submitted to the World Heritage Centre by December 1, 2026. Additionally, the subcommittee reviewed a list of nine cultural heritage sites previously approved for the provisional list for World Heritage status documentation. These sites include the architecture of Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong, the Chao Phraya River landscape, the Death Railway in Kanchanaburi Province, and several significant temples and archaeological sites across Thailand. Further study is required to assess their World Heritage potential. The meeting also acknowledged the results of a field v isit by experts from ICOMOS International to evaluate Chiang Mai's monuments and cultural landscapes. The visit assessed sites nominated for World Heritage status, including significant temples and the city's historic moat and walls, with meetings held with local communities and agencies. In matters related to the Ayutthaya high-speed rail station, the State Railway of Thailand has been in consultation with the Fine Arts Department to modify the station's design, ensuring minimal impact on the Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Measures include reducing the station's size and height, establishing a buffer zone, and incorporating architectural elements of the original Ayutthaya station into the design. Archaeological excavations are planned to mitigate impacts, with construction plans to be submitted to the Fine Arts Department for approval.