Thailand’s Wat Arun Phra Prang Added To Tentative World Heritage List

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

BANGKOK, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Phra Prang of Wat Arun Ratchawararam, one of Bangkok’s most iconic Buddhist landmarks, has been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, Thai Culture Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced.

In a statement, Paetongtarn said the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, held from July 6 to 16 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, had officially acknowledged the listing of Wat Arun’s central pagoda on the Tentative List.

“The listing initiates the formal process that could lead to the temple’s full recognition as a World Heritage Site,” she said in a statement published by the Public Relations Department on Monday.

Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun Ratchawararam, better known as Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn, is an ancient temple that has been in use since the Ayutthaya period (in the 18th century).

Published on its website, UNESCO stated that the Phra Prang of Wat Arun Ratchawararam is the most developed chedi in the prang shape. (Phra Prang or Prang refers to a Chedi in the Thai art in a tall tower shape used to enshrine the Buddha’s relics). 

It is regarded as one of Thailand’s most distinctive architectural masterpieces, reflecting deep historical and cultural significance from the Rattanakosin period.

Paetongtarn said the Ministry of Culture has tasked the Fine Arts Department with preparing the Nomination Dossier and overseeing conservation and site management efforts in accordance with international heritage standards.

“These preparations are essential for progressing to the next stage of the nomination process. Work will include comprehensive documentation, conservation planning, and long-term preservation strategies to ensure the site's readiness for evaluation by UNESCO,” she added.

Paetongtarn emphasised that the inclusion of Wat Arun’s central pagoda on the Tentative List not only demonstrates international recognition of Thailand’s cultural heritage, but also reflects the country’s continued commitment to safeguarding its historical legacy for future generations.

The Tentative List consists of sites that member countries intend to nominate for World Heritage status in the future.

At present, Thailand’s Seven Tentative Sites include Songkhla and its Associated Lagoon Settlements (2024), the Andaman Sea Nature Reserves of Thailand (2021), Ensemble of Phanom Rung, Muang Tam and Plai Bat Sanctuaries (2019), Phra That Phanom, its related historic buildings and associated landscape (2017), Monuments, Sites and Cultural Landscape of Chiang Mai, Capital of Lanna (2015) and Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat (2012).

-- BERNAMA