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| Ayutthaya’s World Heritage status will be kept: ministry 8 May 2017 - The Culture Ministry is confident about its bid to protect the World Heritage status of Ayutthaya. Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat inspected the historic city on Sunday and expressed confidence that it would remain on the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. UNESCO earlier told authorities to improve Ayutthaya or it would be stripped of its status. "We have already acted on the UNESCO recommendations. For example, we have already improved structures within the historic zones," Vira said. "We have assigned officials to study more on historical-site development. We have even restored ancient structures with help from foreign experts." He added that a report on such efforts would be submitted to the UNESCO meeting next month. [Source: The Nation, news, national, 30314551] Well within its GRASP 31 March 2017 - Six years ago, floodwaters inundated the UNESCO cultural world heritage site in Ayutthaya, causing severe damage to the Historical Park and leading to the setting up of the German Wat Ratchaburana Safe-guarding Project (GRASP). Under the leadership of renowned “stone doctor” Prof Hans Leisen from the University of Applied Sciences Cologne, Germany and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, GRASP intervened to conserve the unique stucco and plaster at Wat Ratchaburana – one of the most spectacular temples of the former royal city. Leisen has been Professor for Conservation Science: Conservation and Restoration of Objects of Stone and other mineral porous building materials at Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Cologne Institute of Conservation Sciences CICS since 1990. Wat Ratchaburana was founded in 1424 by King Borommarachathirat II – also known as Chao Sam Phraya of the Ayutthaya Kingdom In a 2014 interview with The Nation, Chaiyanand Busayarat, director of the Ayutthaya Historical Park talked about the project and expressed deep appreciation to the German team that helped Thailand restore the stucco and brick structure and to Dr Leisen, who assisted the Fine Arts Department in studying and restoring the brick and mortar used in the Ayutthaya era. The official handing-over ceremony of the successfully concluded project was held on Tuesday, March 28 in the presence of German Ambassador Peter Prugel, Sahabhum Bhumtitterat of the Ministry of Culture, Dr. Sujin Chaichumsak, Governor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Anandha Chuchoti of The Fine Arts Department), Preecha Khun-thapraisri, Deputy Mayor, Ayutthaya Municipality, and Sukanya Baonoed, Director of Ayutthaya Historical Park. [Source: The Nation, news, life, art_culture, 30310915 ] International Symposium ‘The Conservation of Brick Monuments at World Heritage sites’ 19-21 October 2016- Historic City of Ayutthaya © UNESCO / Francesco Bandarin. The symposium was initiated in response to the decision of the World Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of the Historic City of Ayutthaya World Heritage Site. The Committee recommended that Thailand hold “an international symposium, in collaboration with UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies, to debate on the conservation philosophy of brick-associated sites, together with academics and international conservation practitioners”. The symposium will provide a platform for exchanging knowledge on conservation of brick monuments in the context of World Heritage sites, in line with international standards and World Heritage principles related to authenticity and integrity. It will be attended by experts from various international institutes related to cultural heritage conservation including the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (Japan), Cologne Institute of Conservation Sciences (Germany), World Monuments Fund (USA), ICOMOS, ICCROM, and national agencies responsible for the conservation of brick-associated World Heritage Sites in South-East Asia. The invited speakers will address a range of challenges in conservation, including the appropriate application of scientific conservation principles, traditional building techniques and materials in undertaking conservation of ancient sites, as well as practical ways to include local communities for sustainable heritage protection. The symposium will focus on thematic sessions, as follows: Keynote Session: International standards on the conservation of World Heritage sites Session 1: Evolving principles and practices in the conservation of brick monuments for World Heritage sites Session 2: Brick monument conservation in Historic City of Ayutthaya World Heritage site: challenges and responses Session 3: Revival of traditional craftsmanship in brick and lime conservation for World Heritage sites Session 4: Towards an updated conservation philosophy for brick monuments at Historic City of Ayutthaya World Heritage site The symposium also includes a one-day field visit to monuments in the Historic City of Ayutthaya, which will be followed by a half-day Session 4, which is a final panel discussion among participants. The discussion aims to gather observations and recommendations that will result in the definition of authenticity and integrity in the context of the Historic City of Ayutthaya World Heritage site, the proposed update of conservation principles and practices in line with international standards, and recommendations for institutional and technical capacity building in heritage protection for Thailand. The symposium will provide useful recommendations to the Fine Arts Department of Thailand on how to improve the institutional and technical capacity for the better conservation of this World Heritage site. [Source: UNESCO website, Events, 1333] Historical sites restored 30 April 2013 - AYUTTHAYA: Thailand’s Fine Arts Department reports most of the flood-damaged historical parks in Ayutthaya have been restored about 18 months after floods devastated the central plains province. The department on Monday said renovations at Thailand’s old capital of Ayutthaya, was now 80% complete. On Sunday, the department general director, Sahawat Naenna, led a high-level UNESCO delegation to visit the Ayutthaya’s historical park, centuries-old temples and the anti-flood embankments on the banks of the Chao Phya River, built to keep the annual floods at bay. The Fine Arts Department and UNESCO are working on flood prevention measures for the province, but prevention is limited to specific areas. The province lies in a massive flood plain stretching a good 200 km north to south and 80 km east to west. Measures are in place to protect historical sites and factories in key locations and divert water to other areas. However, the country’s comprehensive water management plan, announced during the 2011 floods, is still in the planning stage. During the flood disaster in late 2011, 157 historic monuments in the province were damaged and hundreds of factories closed. Some of them have still not reopened, but that is more to do with insurance claims or other financial considerations. According to a two-year full-scale flood risk mitigation plan supported by UNESCO and the Asian Development Bank, experts will undertake hydraulic modeling using computer simulations to gauge flood risks at the site. Based on the results, project partners will develop a flood risk mitigation plan together with local stakeholders. International experts in risk preparedness for cultural heritage conservation will be mobilised by UNESCO Bangkok to guide the plan’s development in line with international conservation standards. Ayutthaya then will be the first World Heritage site in Southeast Asia with a management plan for flood risk mitigation, setting an example for other World Heritage sites around the region. The project will be undertaken by the UNESCO Institute for Water Education (UNESCO-IHE) based in the Netherlands, in close collaboration with UNESCO Bangkok. [Source: TTR Weekly - Writer: Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit] UNESCO guides flood plan 28 March 2013 - AYUTTHAYA: World Heritage sites in Ayutthaya province will be the first in the country to have a full-scale flood risk mitigation plan supported by UNESCO and ADB. Ayutthaya was the worst hit province during the 2011 flood and hundreds of historical sites were damaged with some still undergoing restoration. UNESCO Bangkok director, Gwang-Jo Kim, said: “Disaster risk mitigation is one of the top priorities for World Heritage protection identified by the World Heritage Committee.” The UNESCO project was developed following the severe flood of 2011 that heavily affected the Ayutthaya’s core world heritage site. It is being funded by the Asian Development Bank under its water resources financing programme. Since October 2011, Thai authorities have supervised repair work at the World Heritage site and have invested in water management systems for the Chao Phraya River Basin. However, up to now, there has been no long-term effort to protect Ayutthaya’s heritage assets from future flooding. “The two-year project will assess the flood risks at Ayutthaya’s World Heritage site and then develop a flood risk mitigation plan.” According to the project, experts will undertake hydraulic modeling using computer simulations to gauge flood risks at the site. Based on the results, project partners will develop a flood risk mitigation plan together with local stakeholders. International experts in risk preparedness for cultural heritage conservation will be mobilised by UNESCO Bangkok to guide the plan’s development in line with international conservation standards. “Ayutthaya will be the first World Heritage site in Southeast Asia with a management plan for flood risk mitigation, setting an example for other World Heritage sites around the region.” The project will be undertaken by the UNESCO Institute for Water Education (UNESCO-IHE) based in the Netherlands, in close collaboration with UNESCO Bangkok. In addition, project partners include the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (HAII), the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Thai government Fine Arts Department. An international experts’ seminar in October will start the consultation sessions to develop the plan. The project will also support the province’s bid to host the global mega event World Expo 2020. Historically, the waterways surrounding the city have played an integral role in providing transport as well as preventing floods. If the province wins the bid it will make full use of river and canal transport for visitors travelling to the expo park. The government has set in motion a flood management plan that will tackle the long-term problems and issues that cause flooding annually. The province governor, Wittaya Phewpong, said earlier: “The systems will focus on integrated water resource management based on a master plan of the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management for the Chao Phraya River basin.”He added: “Flood protection in the Chao Phraya Basin will focus on reducing the volume of water in the river by diverting it to the Chin River in the west, and the Bang Pakong River in the east.” The province has decided that the proposed World Expo site will be close to the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre about 20 km south of Ayutthaya town. [Source: TTR Weekly - Writer: Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit] UNESCO focuses on Ayutthaya's World Heritage sites 28 Mar 2013 - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched a project to develop a flood risk mitigation plan for Ayutthaya's World Heritage sites. According to UNESCO director Kim Gwang-Jo, more than 150 historic monuments in Ayutthaya were affected by the 2011 floods. Recovery efforts by the authorities are still continuing. "However, up to now there have not been any initiatives aimed specifically at addressing the flood risks threatening the historic city of Ayutthaya as a cultural heritage site of local, national and global significance," he said. Disaster risk mitigation has been singled out as one of the top priorities for World Heritage sites in the Asia-Pacific region. "Through this project, Ayutthaya will be the first World Heritage site in Southeast Asia with a management plan for flood risk mitigation, setting an example for other World Heritage sites around the region and beyond," Kim said. Led by the UNESCO Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands, the project received US$200,000 (6 million baht) from the Asian Development Bank to undertake two-year research. The initial findings will be launched by October this year and the final solution will be purposed to government agencies by September 2014. UNESCO expects that the effort will set a standard for other World Heritage sites to have a natural risk mitigation plan. "After the floods, the immediate concern was restoration of the heritage sites. If you take a longer-term perspective, you need to prepare for the future. Being proactive is better because it means we are well prepared," Kim said. "We selected Ayutthaya because the heritage sites there were affected the most," said UNESCO Institute for Water Education associate professor Zoran Vojinovic. The study will cover not only the old city of Ayutthaya but also its vicinities in order to find practical solutions, he said, adding that the institute will capitalise on its expertise in water management and will also invite specialists from the International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness of the International Council on Monuments and Sites. "We will also work closely with local agencies such as the Asian Institute of Technology and the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute which also give us strong support. We hope that the outcome will complement the government's work." According to the Fine Arts Department director-general Sahawat Naenna, the department supports UNESCO's flood risk management study. "As you know, several heritage sites in Ayutthaya were affected by massive flooding in 2011," he said, adding that the floods damaged 127 sites out of 303 historical sites throughout the nation. About 70% have been fully restored. "We still have 60 sites to go. The restoration process is taking longer than we anticipated because when we restore one point, we find other spots which need to be repaired too," he said, adding that the department was delighted that this international collaboration will ensure an appropriate and efficient approach to preserving the nation's cultural treasures. "When we get the findings, we will make a proposal to the government to allocate a budget. I believe the final plan will comprise short, middle and long term plans, as well as a couple of risk management models that we can follow," Sahawat said. According to UNESCO's Culture Unit head Tim Curtis, the project will benefit World Heritage sites in other countries also affected by flooding such as Pakistan, which was flooded in 2011, and Cambodia, as well as the Philippines. World Heritage sites also need to be prepared for the threats of other natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires. "If you lose a World Heritage site, it is gone forever. You cannot rebuild it," he said, adding that it is better to have a risk mitigation plan in place. [Source: Bangkok Post - Writer: Karnjana Karnjanatawe] UNESCO launches project to develop a flood risk mitigation plan for Ayutthaya World Heritage Site 22 March 2013 - Bangkok - UNESCO is launching a project to develop a flood risk mitigation plan for the World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya. The launch event at UNESCO Bangkok on 22 March 2013 was attended by key players of Thailand’s national flood risk reduction efforts and representatives from the embassies of Germany, Japan, Portugal and the United States that have been actively involved in Ayutthaya’s post-flood recovery in 2011 and 2012. The project was developed following the floods of 2011 that heavily affected the Ayutthaya Historic City World Heritage Site. The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under its water financing programme. “Disaster risk mitigation is one of the top priorities for World Heritage protection identified by the World Heritage Committee,” said Gwang-Jo Kim, Director of UNESCO Bangkok. Since October 2011, the Thai authorities have undertaken extensive repair work at the World Heritage site and have invested in water management systems for the Chao Phraya River basin. However, up to now, there has not been any long-term effort to protect Ayutthaya’s heritage assets from future flooding. This two-year project will assess the flood risks at the Ayutthaya World Heritage site and then develop a flood risk mitigation plan. Experts will undertake hydraulic modeling using computer simulations for flood risks at the site. Then, based on the results, project partners will develop a flood risk mitigation plan together with local stakeholders. International expertise in risk preparedness for cultural heritage conservation will be mobilized by UNESCO Bangkok in order to guide the development of the flood risk mitigation plan in line with international conservation standards. Mr. Kim said that upon successful completion of this project, “Ayutthaya will be the first World Heritage site in Southeast Asia with a management plan for flood risk mitigation, setting an example for other World Heritage sites around the region.” The project will be undertaken by the UNESCO Institute for Water Education (UNESCO-IHE) based in the Netherlands, in close collaboration with UNESCO Bangkok. Project partners include the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (HAII), the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Fine Arts Department of Thailand. An international expert seminar to commence the consultation sessions for the development of the flood risk mitigation plan is planned for October 2013. [Source: UNESCO Bangkok] Department to educate public on preserving ancient sites 31 January 2013 - More than 10 ancient sites in Thailand had been destroyed in the past 30 years, including some by building encroachments on the Ayutthaya Historical Park and World Heritage Site, Fine Arts deputy chief Anek Sihamas said yesterday. In Bangkok, too, buildings of architectural value had been pulled down, he said. As a result, the department would educate the public about the value of ancient sites and revive projects for local volunteers to work on art and culture heritage conservation, Anek said. Department chief Sahawat Naenna said 2,000 out of Thailand's 8,000 ancient sites had been registered for protection. The rest were still in the process because the department could register only about 100-150 sites each year. Consequently many unprotected sites were being destroyed. Sahawat said he would initially propose pending-registration sites to be listed as national ancient sites until listed in the Royal Gazette. The public would then realise their value and notify the department prior to any renovation or modification. Despite the Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums Act 1961, Anek said many areas had seen encroachment and demolition of ancient sites. More than 10 registered ancient sites, as well as other not-yet-registered ancient sites, had been destroyed or modified in the past 30 years. In the Northeast, ancient cities in Nakhon Ratchasima, Roi Et and Kalasin had been turned into farmland by villagers who didn't know the sites were of archaeological value, he said. In northern areas like Chiang Rai and Phayao, it was found that locals had built new pagodas covering ancient ones. In Central Thailand, especially Ayutthaya, some buildings had been constructed on the Ayutthaya Historical Park and World Heritage Site; while in Bangkok old buildings of architectural value had been demolished, he added. [Source: The Nation - by Pakamard Jaichalard] Minister challenges GHF evaluation 11 May 2012: Culture Minister Sukumol Khunplome insists Ayutthaya will continue as a UNESCO World Heritage Site although the historical ruins topped the Global Heritage Fund’s list of 10 most endangered heritage sites in Asia. The fund is neither related nor linked to UNESCO. Thailand’s Ayutthaya Historical Park was first listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in1991. “Although Ayutthaya topped the warning list released by the Global Heritage Fund, we should note that the report was not prepared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).” Founded in the United States’ California in 2002, GHF is a non-profit organisation that operates internationally. It has invested over US$25 million and secured US$20 million in co-funding for 19 global heritage sites to ensure their sustainable preservation and responsible development. GHF specifically focuses funding and conservation efforts on the developing world because of scarce human and technical resources. Ms Sukumol claimed “UNESCO officials had confirmed that they had not considered removing the ancient ruins from the world heritage site list.” She questioned the credibility of the GHF report, adding that UNESCO experts have been visiting and inspecting the site with Thai officials on a regularly basis and had not found any threat or serious deterioration. “The Ministry of Culture is in the process of requesting further clarification from the Global Heritage Fund, which publishes the list,” she added. According to the GHF’ Saving Our Vanishing Heritage: Asia’s Heritage in Peril report, Thailand’s Ayutthaya sustained major damage during last year’s flood crisis and the site is also being threatened by mismanagement and a lack of a suitable restoration budget. The report said in 2011 major flood damaged 158 historic monuments and caused the closure of hundred of factories. At the time Thailand’s Culture Minister, Sukumol Khunplome, estimated that flood damage over six weeks was comparable to the accumulated water erosion damage sustained over centuries. Also, the report added historically, the budget assigned to historical sites in Thailand had not met the amount requested by conservationists, requiring additional funding from other international agencies to support efforts in Ayutthaya. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra approved a budget of around US$162 million to implement water management and flood prevention projects, with around US$25 million allocated specifically to repair ancient sites. The other nine sites at risk are: Philippines’ Fort Santiago and Intramuros; China’s Kashgar; Bangladesh’s Mahasthangarh; Afghanistan’s Mes Aynak; Myanmar’s Myauk-U; Laos’ Plain of Jars; Cambodia’s Preah Vihear; India’s Rakhigari; and Pakistan’s Taxila. The list was compiled by GHF experts based on the 2010 study, Saving Our Vanishing Heritage, which surveyed 500 major sites in developing countries to evaluate current loss and destruction, conservation and development. [Source: TTR Weekly - by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit] Culture Ministry insists Ayutthaya ruins to remain world heritage 8 May 2012 - Culture Minister Sukumol Khunploem has played down a report about the Ayutthaya ruins topping the list of the 10 most endangered heritage sites in Asia, noting that the report was not prepared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Mrs Sukumol insisted that Thailand’s Ayutthaya Historical Park will continue to be listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO as it has been since 1991. According to the minister, UNESCO officials have confirmed that they have no plan to remove the ancient ruins from the world heritage site list. Mrs Sukumol also questioned the credibility of the report, adding that UNESCO experts have been visiting and inspecting the site with Thai officials on a regularly basis and have not found it to be under any threat of deterioration. The Culture Ministry is in the process of requesting further clarification from the Global Heritage Fund (GHF), which published the top-ten list of most vulnerable sites. According to the GHF, the Ayutthaya Historical Park sustained major damages during last year's flood crisis. Its report also claimed that the site is being threatened by mismanagement and lack of restoration budget. [Source: NNT] UNESCO denies involvement in Ayutthaya threat study 5 May 2012 - A report listing Ayutthaya among 10 historic sites in Asia under threat due to over development and mismanagement was not prepared by UNESCO, a spokesman from the Fine Arts Department says. UNESCO contacted the department to clarify the origins of the report. The list was prepared by the NGO-owned Global Heritage Fund, which is a different entity than UNESCO's World Heritage Fund. Staff at UNESCO's Bangkok headquarters clarified the matter with the Fine Arts Department, fearing that the bodies' similar names could create confusion. UNESCO has listed the palace and temple ruins of the former capital as a world heritage site. ''The names of the two funds can cause confusion when they are translated into Thai because of their similar meanings,'' Fine Arts Department chief Somsuda Leyavanija said yesterday. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee is scheduled to meet in St Petersburg in Russia between June 25 and July 5, but it is not clear whether the group will discuss world heritage sites which are under threat and require restoration. ''There is currently no such item on the agenda,'' Ms Somsuda said. Global Heritage Fund executive director Jeff Morgan earlier listed Ayutthaya as among historic sites in Asia under threat due to a variety of factors from unsustainable tourism development, poor management and wars. Ayutthaya was severely hit by flooding late last year which damaged 158 historic monuments, the fund's report noted. The report added that the government has not provided an adequate budget to restore flood-damaged sites. The Fine Arts Department, while admitting the Ayutthaya historic zone is facing encroachment from vendors and urban development, denied that the core of the city's ancient beauty is under threat. Culture Minister Sukumol Khunploem also insisted the government granted adequate funding to restore 311 historic sites in Ayutthaya after the flood. [Source: Bangkok Post] Ayutthaya tops endangered sites list 4 May 2012 - Ayutthaya tops the list of the 10 most endangered Heritage sites in Asia, according to the Global Heritage Fund. Asia's architectural treasures, from a Buddhist monastery in Afghanistan to an ancient city in China, are in danger of vanishing under a tide of economic expansion, war and tourism, according to experts. The Global Heritage Fund (GHF) named 10 sites facing "irreparable loss and destruction." The top 10 endangered sites in Asia, according to the Global Heritage Fund, are: 1. Ayutthaya ruins in Thailand, the former Siamese capital that was sacked by Burmese invaders in 1767, prompting the move to Bangkok. 2. Fort Santiago in the Philippines. 3. Kashgar, one of the last preserved Silk Road cities in China. 4. Mahasthangarh, one of South Asia's earliest archeological sites in Bangladesh. 5. Mes Aynak, an Afghan Buddhist monastery complex on the Silk Road. 6. Myauk-U, capital of the first Arakenese kingdom in Myanmar. 7. Plain of Jars, a mysterious megalithic site in Laos. 8. Preah Vihear, a Khmer architectural masterpiece in Cambodia. 9. Rakhigari, one of the biggest, ancient Indus sites in India. 10. Taxila, an ancient economic crossroads in Pakistan. Based on the GHF's report, the ruins of Ayutthaya were declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a world heritage in 1991. It suffered greatly during last year's great flood, which damaged 158 historic monuments. The government's budget for the management and preservation of the site has also not met the amount requested by conservationists. Fine Arts Department deputy director Anek Sihamat accepted that the Historic City of Ayutthaya has been under threat of encroachment from vendors and urban development. This had led to worries the site might be removed from the UNESCO world heritage list. "It is a prolonged problem and we well realise it. So the department and local authorities have been working together on the site’s conservation, tourism, urban development and city planning aspects," Mr Anek said. "To be frank, the site is moderately at risk from rapid development in order to accommodate tourists. But to be at risk does not mean that it is really ruined or destroyed," he said. "If the site is really listed as an endangered site, UNESCO will give a warning of the need to improve and solve the problems before removing from the list." [Source: Bangkok Post] Culture Minister led international diplomats to visit World Heritage Sites in Ayutthaya 24 March 2012 - The Culture Ministry has led a group of international diplomats to inspect World Heritage sites in Ayutthaya Province. Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome said that last year's severe flooding has apparently affected and caused serious damages to World Heritage sites and various ancient ruins in Ayutthaya Province. Mrs. Sukumol stated that UNESCO and several governments have expressed their concern and offered support for the restoration of all damaged historical sites, in the forms of grant, specialists and public donation. In order to convince tourists about the ongoing restoration work, the Culture Ministry has led an international delegation, comprising ambassadors and their spouses from 23 countries as well as local and international media, on an inspection trip to all major sites in Ayutthaya. The 2-day trip, which began on Friday, was also intended to strengthen diplomatic ties and boost confidence among foreign tourists. Regarding the progress in the restoration of damaged ancient sites, Fine Arts Department Deputy Director-General Anek Seehamart said that the department is now in the process of finding contractors to restore more than 10 major historical attractions, including Wat Chai Watthanaram and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. Mr. Anek expects the actual work to commence at the beginning of April. Caution ordered for fair in Historical Park 07 February 2012 - AYUTTHAYA -The Red Cross Fair's light and sound show, to be held from February 10 - 19 in the Ayutthaya historical park, will be sited 10 metres away from the world heritage site and there would be no firework lighting, Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome said Tuesday. A 10-metre section of Wat Mahathat's ancient wall collapsed after the devastating flood last year. Sukumol said the authority was finding Bt4 million to fix the wall, and is awaiting a full report from the Fine Arts Department. She has instructed the department to closely monitor the situation and find innovative construction and restoration methods to fix and strengthen the ancient sites. As for the upcoming fair, Sukumol had discussed with the province ways to prevent further damage. They agreed to have the stage moved 10 metres away from the site while the speakers were also moved and turned outwards, she said. [Source: The Nation] Japanese cultural experts report on status of Ayutthaya World Heritage site 05 January 2012 - In a press conference hosted by the Thai Ministry of Culture’s Fine Arts Department on 22 December 2011, a team of 8 Japanese experts reported on their recent technical mission to Ayutthaya. H.E. Mr. Vutthikorn Inthraphuvasak, Thai Vice Minister for Culture, opened the conference thanking UNESCO and the Japanese Government for their continuous support and cooperation in the salvage of the Ayutthaya World Heritage site. Ms Somsuda Leyavanija, Director of Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, joined her Vice Minister by conveying her gratitude to the Japanese Government in “protecting the invaluable heritage of Ayutthaya”. Etienne Clement, Deputy Director, UNESCO Bangkok, affirmed UNESCO’s continuous commitment and support to protect and safeguard the World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya after the tremendous flood in 2011. “UNESCO is concerned about the recovery of Ayutthaya both in the short-term and the long-term. A multi- disciplinary effort will be needed to ensure that the historic site and its larger urban and natural context will be sustainably managed in the future”, he said. “From UNESCO’s perspective, it will be important to comprehensively address all the issues necessary for this long-term sustainability of the site. The issues range from very specific technical concerns, such as mural conservation to very large-scale issues such as disaster response and integrated urban and environmental planning”, he said. “Like at other sites in Asia and around the world, UNESCO plays a key role to support governments to mobilize the needed expertise across all these different specializations to react quickly and plan strategically in response to these kinds of disasters”, Mr. Clement closed. H.E. Seiji Kojima, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand expressed his gratitude to the Thai people in their support to Japan in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake this year and confirmed the Japanese flood recovery support for Thailand. In regard to Ayutthaya, Mr. Kojima confirmed “the importance of Ayutthaya not only for Thailand but for the whole world”, which hugely justifies the intervention of international and Japanese experts in assessing and restoring the site. In relation to the mutual help and support of the two countries in the aftermath of their respective disaster situations, Mr. Kojima said: “We can understand the feelings of Thai people and Thai people can understand the feelings of the Japanese”. A first international expert mission had taken place from 30 November to 1 December to assess the status of key monuments after the flooding in 2011 with temporary water levels up to 3 meters. On 18-21 December another mission followed by the team of 8 Japanese experts, composed of conservation specialists, architects, painting restoration specialists and photographers of the National Research Institute for Cultural properties in Tokyo, Japan, and the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs. The experts undertook damage analysis, emergency stabilization, restoration and long-term management assessment. This survey, like the previous one from late November, again focused on key monuments such as Pompetch, Wat Phra Srisanpetch, Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Chai Wattanaram, Wat Ayothaya, Wat Maheyong, Wat Ku Deedao, Wat Pradoo, Wat Choeng Ta and Wat Phuttaisawan. The scientists assessed the monuments’ upper and sub-structures, and the murals in Wat Pradoo, Wat Choeng Ta and Wat Phuttaisawan. For the expert team, Mr. Wataru Kuwanobe, Director of the National Research Institute for Cultural properties in Tokyo, Japan, debriefed on the status of the inspected monuments, confirming that the flood did not directly produce major damages and that the site’s main monuments are not at immediate risk. However, the floods have exacerbated underlying vulnerabilities of the site, which show a series of damages and general deterioration due to past floods and environmental and human influences over time. The site will need a long-term conservation and management plan and, in reply to a question from the press, the status of the site’s sub-structures and the ground will need further analysis and measuring. The entire historic island of Ayutthaya and its surrounding area was flooded for more than a month starting in early October 2011, with a total of 157 historic monuments in and around Ayutthaya World Heritage Site affected. Ayutthaya was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. Founded c. 1350, the historic city was the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. [Source: UNESCO Bangkok] Pols, business leaders raise 850,000 baht for Ayutthaya ruins restoration 30 December 2011 - Politicians and local business leaders raised 850,000 baht to help restore ancient ruins damaged by floods in Ayutthaya. The Dec. 21 charity dinner at the Zign Hotel was organized by the Banglamung and Pattaya governments, Eastern Thai Hotel Association, Pattaya Business & Tourism Association, Union of Pattaya Entrepreneurs, Pattaya Expats Club, Lions Clubs, and Rotary Clubs. Each table cost 15,000 baht. Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome says it’s the responsibility of all Thais to cooperate in restoring remains of the historic city of Ayutthaya. Organizers said it was the responsibility of all Thais to cooperate in restoring remains of the historic city, as they are key symbols of Siamese history, art and culture, as well as a key source of tourism revenue. Among the guests at the Sidella Balloon were Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome, Banglamung District Chief Chawalit Saeng-Uthai, Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, PBTA President Wiwat Pattanasin and Pattaya Business Confederation President Sa-nga Kijsamret. [Source: Pattaya Mail] Flood Damages Ayutthaya Historical Park 22 December 2011 - The director of the Fine Arts Division 3 Office in Ayutthaya Province is concerned about the damage on a pagoda at Phra Ram Temple, while engineers found that many historical sites are eroding due to land subsidence. Officials at the Ayutthaya Historical Park found a crack at the base of one of the pagodas on the southwestern site of Phra Ram Temple. 13 areas of glass walls inside the pagoda have also been found damaged. Tourists were warned to avoid entering these areas. Supod Prommanoch, the Director of the Fine Arts Division 3 Office said that besides crack lines at the base of a pagoda and damaged glass-walls at Phra Ram Temple, many areas of historical site are also damaged, including the old city wall behind Phra Sri Sanpet Temple, next to Thor Canal. He said these areas have been previously restored before the disastrous flooding. However, due to excessive volumes of floodwater pooled up in the historical site for a period of time, many historical areas in Koh Muang have been damaged. Officials were ordered to deploy warning signs to warn tourists of the dangerous zones near the historical sites. Supod accepted that the major concern is that many historical sites in Ayutthaya Province, including at the East and West of Koh Muang, have been badly damaged and began to subside for an average of five centimeters. Engineers have already assessed the damage in order to report this matter to the director-general of the Fine Arts Department. Supod further said the root-cause of land subsidence was that large volumes of floodwater pooled up in the historical site for a period of time. This will take time to restore the areas since some areas, such as Chai Wattanaram Temple are still submerged with 30 centimeters of floodwater. It is necessary to wait for the water to ease in order to drain out the water into Chao Phraya River. This is because draining out the water now will lead to an immediate land subsidence. The budget for restoration of Chai Wattanaram Temple is at approximately 30 million baht. [Source: Thailandoutlook.tv] Fine Arts officials decline evacuation to safeguard Ayutthaya treasures 11 Oct 2011 - Some of approximately 100 officials from the Region 3 Fine Arts Office who were marooned with a group of local residents in flooded Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park yesterday said they would stay to watch over the park's ancient artefacts. Fine Arts Department chief Somsuda Leyavanija said the stranded officials guarding the park, along with the Chawsamphraya National Museum and Chantharakasem National Museum, had insisted on staying because they were worried artefacts might be lost. The department had provided some supplies, but Somsuda urged the provincial governor to assist by sending them more drinking water and food. ... [Source: The Nation] What on earth are they doing in Ayutthaya? 17 January 2011 - Should Ayutthaya be the city for everything? That's not a good idea at all. The old capital is back in the limelight again. This time authorities from the provincial level down to tambon organisation administrations hope their city will get a shot at being the site of World Expo 2020. Last Wednesday they convinced Vincente Gonzalez Loscertales, secretary-general of the Bureau International des Expositions, that their place could be a perfect site for the world-class, cash-generating event. The visitor was greeted by local residents with banners hailing Ayutthaya as the best choice for the event. He was escorted around to get a glimpse of key historical sites around the city. Ayutthaya plans to use 1,440 rai of land in Bang Sai district near the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen to hold the World Expo if it is selected as the host. "We have a lot of strong points including transport, culture and agriculture," Ayutthaya governor Withaya Pewpong boasted about his city. The campaign to be the World Expo host is just the beginning. Ayutthaya has to fight Chon Buri and Chiang Mai, the two other Thai candidates vying to clinch the lucrative chance to represent the kingdom. Then there are other outside competitors including Sao Paulo, Guangdong, Copenhagen, Ankara, Dubai and Cape Town. It will be good news if Ayutthaya loses this opportunity. The sooner the city is out, the better it is for the old capital. Ayutthaya should have not been listed as a potential host from the beginning. Now it is. So let's hope for a quick out so that the authorities there will stop this burst of enthusiasm and get back to the job of tackling the problems at hand. The province should be reserved only as a World Heritage site under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. This position alone lures tourists there with billions of baht generated from their visits. Ayutthaya is so popular and well-known that many foreigners go there directly after their plane lands at Suvarnabhumi Airport, intentionally bypassing Bangkok. But this position alone is difficult for authorities to maintain. Don't forget that Ayutthaya is plagued with lots of problems, which could possibly make it lose its World Heritage status if the mess is not resolved. That status for Ayutthaya will be reviewed at the World Heritage Committee's meeting this year in Bahrain, as the reviews of Asian sites come about every six years. The city was awarded the title in 1991 and this year Thailand has to show the committee members that it is taking good care of all historical places there. Failing to win the nod from the panel will mean a warning. That will be bad enough. If nobody in the province and central government heeds that warning, the World Heritage status can be stripped. It is not difficult to imagine the doom if that actually happens. What taints the old capital is poor management of the landscape of historic sites. Illegal souvenir vendors are rampant and many new structures have been built to unintentionally spoil the century-old atmosphere. These are some of the problems which Fine Arts and local officials have to resolve. In addition to that, many old sites outside the World Heritage compound also have problems too. One case last year which showed the ignorance of officials looking after them was that famous toilet. It was installed in the open air at Prasat Nakhon Luang in Nakhon Luang district built during King Songtham's reign between 1611 and 1628. The sanitaryware stirred an outcry from tourists as they wondered why it was there creating such an eyesore and showing no respect for a national asset. In fact the toilet had been there since 2004, six years before it was in the news. It was for old monks who were too frail to come down from Prasat to the toilets at the temple ground. Fortunately, that toilet is now history and everyone wants to forget about it. After his Ayutthaya visit, let's hope Mr Loscertales thinks World Heritage status is enough for the province with no need to add the expo status as well. [Source: Bangkok Post - by Saritdet Marukatat] Panel will manage ancient ruins 23 July 2010 - A committee will take over the Fine Arts Department's job in caring for ancient ruins in the old capital to defuse disputes between the department and residents. Apirak Kosayodhin, an adviser to the prime minister, has agreed to set up a multi-party committee to take over the department's job in the old capital, the Provincial Administration Organisation Council said. Council secretary-general Chatri Yudhprasert raised the proposal with Mr Apirak, who agreed in principle to form the Ayutthaya World Heritage committee made up of local bodies, scholars, members of the public and departmental officials. It will serve as a model for other provinces with archaeological sites, Mr Chatri said. Residents are unhappy with many projects launched by the Fine Arts Department in the Ayutthaya historical park. They say they are not consulted and have suggested a committee step in instead. One controversy concerns the department's plan to build a tram stop in front of the old provincial hall. Residents complained when the erection of 32 piles during construction caused an eyesore. The hall serves as an art museum. Ayutthaya governor Witthaya Piewdhpong has asked the department to remove the piles, but it has pulled down only 14. The constitution gives people the right to manage and take care of their own neighbourhood, Mr Chatri said. [Source: Bangkok Post] Fine Arts looks at banning cars from listed site. Ayutthaya stalls imperil World Heritage status. 17 June 2010 - The Fine Arts Department is considering banning vehicles from an area inside the historical park in the former capital to help prevent the site from being stripped of its World Heritage list. The Ayutthaya Historical Park, which was declared a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 1991, faces problems with illegal vendors setting up stalls too close to the site. Many use their cars as makeshift stalls. This has raised concerns at the department and among provincial authorities. They say the park could be delisted due to the failure of Thailand to properly manage the area. The main problem is at Wat Mongkol Borpitr, the park's main tourist attraction. The department has set aside space behind the main hall of the temple for authorised vendors. But about 400 illegal souvenir sellers have set up businesses in front of the temple. Department director-general Kriengkrai Sampatchalit said the problem could be solved through the introduction of a blanket ban on vehicles entering the park. The plan needs the approval of other agencies including the Culture Ministry. It could be launched in October if all parties are agreed, he said. The department has set up an alternative space for vendors to operate farther from the temple. Shuttle buses will provide a free service for tourists to visit the authorised vendor area. Mr Kriengkrai hoped the plan will encourage vendors to move from the historical park to the new parking area. Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombut, who yesterday took senior officials from the ministry on an inspection of the historical site, said some vendors were happy to move to the new venue. Tongbron Homtong, who says he represents vendors at Wat Mongkol Borpitr inside the historical park, said he and about other 144 vendors had already moved. "We all were willing to move because we were afraid the site would be removed from the world heritage" Mr Tongbron said. "But after we moved out, hundreds of new vendors occupied our former place". Mr Tongbron also complained that only a few visitors were shopping at the new space provided. [Source: Bangkok Post - Writer: Lamphai Intathep] Prison, univ make way for preservation 15 February 2010 - The Culture Ministry is moving to relocate a prison and two university campuses from the historic compound in Ayutthaya for fear they could affect the former capital's World Heritage listing. The plan unveiled by Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch calls for the removal of the Ayutthaya Special Rehabilitation Prison, Ayutthaya Rajabhat University and Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi's Huntra campus from the old capital zone. The ministry has proposed spending 1.6 billion baht to preserve and revitalise the historic city. The budget pending cabinet approval covers preservation projects proposed by the Fine Arts Department, relocation of the prison and the two university campuses and promotion plans by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ayutthaya provincial municipality. The historic site of Ayutthaya was listed as a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 1992. Mr Teera said the core zone was under threat of rapid urbanisation. "From now on, construction work will not be permitted in the core zone", he said. The 1979 Building Control Act and the 1975 Town and Country Planning Act would be better enforced to protect places with historical value. Fine Arts Department director- general Kriengkrai Sampatchalit said no one would be forced to leave, but they would be told the city should not be extended to ensure the site continued to meet UNESCO criteria. [Source: Bangkok Post - Writer: Lamphai Intathep] Historic park plan hopes to lure tourists 05 February 2010 - Provincial governor Wittaya Piewphong is upbeat about a plan to improve the city's historical park to attract more tourists to the former capital. "The campaign is expected to convince more visitors to visit Ayutthaya", Mr Wittaya said yesterday. The city will spend 68 million baht in a campaign to improve and preserve the park, launched by the Fine Arts Department and energy giant PTT Exploration Production (PTTEP). Models of the historical park will be created and information boards put up to give tourists a better understanding of the park's sites and the history of the area. The models and information boards will be placed around the park compound, including at the Sanphet Prasat Pavilion, the Suriyas Amarindra Pavilion, the Banyong Rattanart Pavilion, the Viharn Somdej Pavilion and the fortresses. The campaign will cover six temples: Wat Mahathat, Wat Rat Burana, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and Wat Mae Nang Pluem. The information boards will be based on the present ruins with other information aimed at providing a clear picture to tourists of what they looked like in the past", said department director-general Kriangkrai Sampatchalit after a religious ceremony at the park. Books and brochures about the sites will be distributed to 30,000 schools as part of the scheme to promote the value of the country's heritage and the importance of preservation among young people. The campaign comes under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2007 by the department and PTTEP to preserve historical sites listed as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). PTTEP chief executive Anon Sirisaengtaksin said Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn had accepted the role of honorary adviser to the campaign because the Ayutthaya park was the model used to build the Grand Palace in Bangkok. "The project is expected to take 600 days to complete all the improvements and preserve the site in time to celebrate His Majesty the King's 84th birthday [on Dec 5, 2011]", Mr Anon said. The Ayutthaya Historical Park has been included on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites since 1991. About 4 million people visit the park every year, most of them Europeans. The visits bring in at least 500 million baht a year, the governor said. [Source: Bangkok Post - Writer: Lamphai Intathep] Ayutthaya Historical Park taking shape 05 February 2010 - Vigorous efforts are now up and running to recreate the core zone of the once-splendid capital of Ayutthaya in 3D models and animation. "We have already recreated six temples in pictures", Fine Arts Department director-general Grienggrai Sampatchalit said yesterday. He was speaking after attending a ceremony to worship late Thai kings at the Ayutthaya Historical Park. The ancient complex at Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. PTT Exploration and Production has provided more than Bt68 million for the project to conserve the complex in honour of His Majesty the King. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has been the chief adviser to this project. Grienggrai said officials would develop the pictures and models for the reconstruction, based on the ancient remains. "Once the project is completed, visitors will be able to see the models that will depict clearly where each structure was located in the old days", he said. Grienggrai added that animation would also be produced and kept for study purposes at learning centres. Methadon Wijakkhana, who heads the Ayutthaya Historical Park, said the models would be very close to what stood in Ayutthaya centuries ago. "This is because we have developed the models not just from historical remains but also from old documents", he said. Methadon pointed out that photos taken in the reign of King Rama V could be used to develop the model for Wat Mahathat. He added that there was also an old map prepared by Dutchmen. "This is the first time innovative technology has been used at the Ayutthaya Historical Park", he said. He believed the project would boost the number of visitors to the park. Once completed, the pictures and models will be put right next to the historical remains so that visitors have a clearer idea of what Ayutthaya looked like in the past. Currently, the Ayutthaya Historical Park attracts 1.2 million tourists from about 90 countries annually. Of them, about 60 per cent are from Europe. [Source: The Nation - Writer: Pakamard Jaichalard] Ayutthaya feared to be removed from World Heritage list 04 June 2008 - Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung travels to Ayutthaya province to observe the situation following the government’s concern that the province may be removed from the list of World Heritage. The minister visits historical sites with his entourage including the governor of Ayutthaya and officials from the Fine Arts Department and relevant units to inspect the revival of Ayutthaya World Heritage. Ayutthaya is feared to be stripped off its title of World Heritage as street vendors trespass on many historical sites in the province, leading to untidiness and a sight unsightly. Mr Chalerm says he has instructed relevant units to explain the situation to local people and manage the areas surrounding the historical sites appropriately. Street vendors will be strictly prohibited from selling goods in the restricted areas of the historical sites. [Source: NNT] Ayutthaya might be removed from UNESCO's World Heritage list 12 Nov 2007 - Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sriaroon said Wednesday it would be "unfortunate and embarrassing" if UNESCO removes the Historic City of Ayutthaya and Associated Historic Towns from the World Heritage list after the site was under threat of land encroachments from rapid development. Khaisri had received an initial report from the Fine Arts Department claiming the site, inscribed on Unesco's World Heritage List in December 1991, had problems with city planning that might lead to the site being removed from the list, the minister said. Ayutthaya was also deemed a world heritage with the most problems with land encroachments, which was now beyond Fine Arts Department officials' control, Khaisri said. The ministry will now ask for cooperation from the Ayutthaya Governor to ensure the site was maintained according to the Unesco criteria, she added. If the site was not taken care of or kept in good condition and was removed from the list, it would be unfortunate and embarrassing, she said. It would show that the Thais did not see the importance of their cultural heritage, while other countries were striving hard to have their cultural sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, according to Khaisri. The best group to take care of the Historic City of Ayutthaya and Associated Historic Towns was the local communities who could keep a close watch on anything suspicious, she urged. Fine Arts Department Director General Kriengkrai Sampatchalit said that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee would inspect the ancient sites on the list to see how they were being maintained. He said that he had learned that the committee was considering grading the heritage site according to a colour code. The colour code comprised red, meaning the site was at risk of being removed from the list; yellow, meaning the site needs improvements, while green meant the site is in good condition, he said. He urged that the existing problems could still be solved and he would soon discuss with all sides to end the problems. Fine Arts Office 3 director Anek Sihamat said the site's inner area covering 1,800 rai - out of the total 6,000 rai where many of important historical places such as Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch and Wat Ratcha Burana were situated - now had people building structures over these ancient sites. He cited as an example a lawsuit between his office and the local administration body and residents over an over eight metre tall building that resulted in construction's cancellation. However, such problems only affected around 10 per cent of the site's area. If they accounted for 40 to 50 per cent, then it would be worrying and might lead to it being removed from the list, he said. Citing the time before the site's inclusion to the UNESCO list when there were many land encroachments, Anek said the authorities solved the problems and had managed the area according to the Unesco criteria, including moving an 11metre building to outside the urban area and having state agencies' offices located to a new city area. Earlier, Chao Sam Phraya Museum Director Subongkot Thongthongtip, said the site's problems resulted from no proper control over the city planning, which recently allowed high buildings to be built near the world heritage site, and urged that planning laws be strictly reinforced. Subongkot said that she personally disbelieved a rumour that the site would be removed from the list because the UNESCO World Heritage regularly assess the site and would warn the authority to improve matters before it would remove the site from the list. [Source: The Nation] |