Sunday, August 4, 2024
reading time: 2 minutes
The Thai government, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and local citizens, is celebrating the designation of Phu Phrapat Historical Park as Thailand’s eighth UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the second in Udon Thani, a province in the north-east of the country. The inscription was recently announced at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee on 27 July 2024, in New Delhi, India.
For travelers who want to delve deeper into Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, a trip to Phu Phrapat Historical Park, located in the lesser-known Ban Phu area of Udon Thani, is highly recommended. Now world-renowned, this site features a vast collection of sima stones, unique rock formations, ancient cave paintings, and sandstone carvings, all of which embody the sima stone tradition of the Dvaravati period.
The quote also states:“While the sacred boundary markers of Theravada Buddhist monastic practice areas vary in material, the extensive use of stone is found only in the Khorat Plateau region of Southeast Asia.”
This addition brings the total number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Thailand to eight, including five cultural and three natural sites. The cultural heritage sites include the Historic City of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns, the Historic City of Ayutthaya, the Archaeological Site of Ban Chiang, the Ancient City of Si Thep with the Dvaravati Ruins, and now, Phu Phrapat Historical Park. The natural sites are the Thongyai-Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, and the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex.
With its two cultural heritage sites – Phu Phrapat and the previously recognized Ban Chiang Archaeological Site – Udon Thani has become a focal point for cultural tourism. The province is also known for its vibrant cultural offerings, including the stunning Red Lotus Sea, traditional Pha Khit silk weaving, and a dynamic food scene, and has been featured in the Michelin Guide Thailand since 2023. As a major logistics and trade hub in the country’s upper northeast, Udon Thani is accessible by air and road, serving as a gateway to CLMV countries.
