The World Heritage Committee has included “The Ancient City of Si Thep” on the list for the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). “ Si Thep Ancient Town becomes the 7th World Heritage site in Thailand – existing sites include (1) Sukhothai Historic Town and associated historic towns; (2) the Historic City of Ayutthaya; (3) Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries; (4) the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site; (5) Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex; and (6) the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex.
The ancient city of Si Thep, located in the province of Phetchabun…
…has three cultural sites, namely the ancient town of Si Thep, Khao Klang Nok and the Khao Thamorrat Cave. These sites are interconnected and could be more than 1,500 years old. Thanks to the suitable terrain but also the location of the area surrounding the Ancient City, human settlements and dwellings dating back to prehistoric times have been discovered and local habitation has continued to the present day.
The inscription of this new site helps raise awareness among the international community of the values and importance of the ancient city of Si Thep as a World Heritage cultural site. Despite its remarkable representation of culture dating back to the Dvaravati era, the site has exceptional distinctive features that set it apart from other cities of the same period. Its distinctive artistic architectural style has been recognized as the “Si Thep School of Art”.
The inscription of the ancient city of Si Thep today signifies the beginning of cooperation and collective actions to conserve, restore and protect this invaluable site as a center of learning and treasure, not only for the people of the world but also for future generations.
