Here are the 11 world heritage sites in Thailand -
The Current World Heritage Sites of Thailand
1. The Sukhothai Historical Park
The Ruins of Sukhothai is one of the most visited world heritage sites in Thailand. Tracing its history back to the Sukhothai Kingdom that flourished between the 13th and 14th centuries, the remains of the capital city of Sukhothai is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site for its elaborate temple complexes. The Sukhothai Historical Park houses statues and sculptures of the Buddha in different postures, giving us a glimpse of traditional Thai architecture that incorporated motifs from Theravada Buddhism. Much of the kingdom's artistic style included symbolism from the Sukhothai religious life, such as their relic shrines (chedis) carved into lotus buds. The most noteworthy of all is the largest royal temple, Wat Mahathat, with majestic statues of the Buddha. The walls of Sukhothai bear inscriptions describing Thai social and cultural life until Sukhothai lost its independence to the historic Ayutthaya Kingdom. A walk through the serene brick-and-stone ruins and religious monuments of the temple complex is a journey back in time to a once-flourishing, ancient kingdom.
2. The Ayutthaya Historical Park
After the decline of the Sukhothai Kingdom, Thailand witnessed one of its most prosperous kingdoms flourish under the reign of King Ramathibodi I in the 14th century. Today, attracting numerous travellers as one of Thailand's renowned world heritage sites, the Ruins of Ayutthaya capture the remains of a kingdom that established strong foreign trade links with the rest of the world. Located an hour to the north of Bangkok city, this world heritage site is a seat of opulent and symmetrical architecture which once served as the cradle for culture and politics in ancient Thailand. It is similar to the Sukhothai architectural style of using brick assemblages to build monasteries, temples and sculptures paying homage to both Hindu and Buddhist religious influences. There are intricate paintings within the walls of the temples, although now faded over time. Captured by the Burmese army in the 1700s, Ayutthaya's ruins are a nostalgic reminder of the thirty-five kings that once ruled the kingdom's powerful capital.
3. Ban Chiang
A UNESCO-protected world heritage site, the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site is a prehistoric mound in Udon Thani of North-Eastern Thailand. First discovered and excavated in 1966, the area is a mound formed by prehistoric human settlements dating back to 2100 CE, making it a rich archaeological space for exploration. Studies have found evidence of rice cultivation, usage of ceramics, metallurgy, pottery, domestication of animals and extensive feats of tool-making and technology. Also serving as a burial ground, the Ban Chiang revealed artefacts that explained the social and religious customs prevailing during the Bronze Age, which were replicated as dioramas for tourists. Interestingly, the existence of the site was discovered when a local quite literally stumbled upon pots on his path. One of the living examples of early signs of civilization, the Ban Chiang is full of interesting cultural artefacts from the Bronze Age.
4. Thung Yai Wildlife Reserve and Huai Kha Khaeng Park
Located on the border of Thailand and Myanmar, Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary is a UNESCO-protected world heritage site, along with the neighbouring Huai Kha Khaeng Park. 'Thung Yai' translates to 'large field', and it hosts an exotic variety of flora and fauna species such as the Indochinese tiger and leopards, Sumatran rhino, wild buffalo, Malayan tapir, macaques, along with over 400 species of birds. Surrounding the plains are also traditional village settlements, although the access to certain sections of the reserve is restricted without permission. As a world heritage site, Thung Yai Wildlife Reserve is a diverse tropical landscape - a balanced combination of gallery and dry evergreen forests, mountainous terrain, grasslands and the Ramit River outlining the sanctuary. Although susceptible to illegal poaching, the area is still well-protected by the local staff patrol.
5. The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex
Covering the Sankamphaeng Mountain Range and the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains that are sprawling over 230 kilometres, this forest complex became a recent addition to UNESCO's list of world heritage sites in 2005. According to the World Heritage Convention, it hosts over 800 species of unique fauna, some of which are endangered, such as the Asian Elephant, Pileated Gibbon, Malayan Sun Bear, Leopard Cat and the Siamese Crocodile, which is listed as critically endangered. The forest complex has also been vulnerable to destructive and illegal Siamese rosewood logging. However, this site continues to protect some of the last remaining wildlife species, making it an attractive spot for nature and wildlife enthusiasts every year.
List of Five Nominated World Heritage Sites in Thailand
6. Prasat Phimai Temple
Phimai Historical Park is a part of the tentative list of world heritage sites of Thailand recognizing ruins of the vast Khmer Empire. Built during the 11th and 12th centuries by King Jayavarman VI, the Mahayana Buddhist temple Prasat Phimai is considered to be a cultural equivalent to the Angkor Wat of Cambodia in its artistic style. The Ancient Khmer Highway, which connected Cambodia and Thailand, ends at the Prasat Phimai temple. The mingling of Khmer's predominantly Hindu tradition is seen in the architecture and carvings of the Buddhist temple featuring several Hindu gods and goddesses. The temple's site is a true witness of religious and cultural syncretism that existed during the reign of the Khmer Empire.
7. Kaeng Krachan National Park
The largest national park in Thailand, Kaeng Krachan National Park lies in the vicinity of Hua Hin, a popular beach resort town in Myanmar. It covers an area of 2,914 square kilometres and is known for its preserved wildlife, camping and birdwatching sites, waterfalls and hiking trails. The park houses two rivers as well, the Phetchaburi and Pran Buri and is home to a diverse species of birds and butterflies, some of which are unique only to Kaeng Krachan National Park, such as the ratchet-tailed treepie. The national park is a call for adventure for anyone looking to travel with the natural reserves of Thailand.
8. Wat Phra Mahathat
Located in Southern Thailand, the Wat Phra Mahathat is a Buddhist temple housing the tooth of the Buddha as a chedi or a stupa. Significant to the Theravada Buddhist tradition, this site dates back to over 600 years and is nominated to be a part of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites List. Translating to 'Great Noble Temple', it is believed that the relic of the Buddha was brought to Thailand from Sri Lanka. It is because of this cultural influence that the architecture is similar to the Sri-Lankan Buddhist style of constructing stupas. The temple is found to have received patronage from the Ayutthaya Kingdom as well. With its elegant white columns and golden embellishments, the Wat Phra Mahathat is an aesthetically and historically memorable sight for any traveller.
9. Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
Similar to the Ban Chiang, the Phu Phra Bat in Udon Thani Province is a site of prehistoric ruins. Its characteristically peculiar rock formations and assemblages that are surrounded by Buddhist and Hindu shrines and temples. Paintings dating back to 3,000-6,000 years ago have been uncovered on these rocks, although now they have faded drastically. These ancient paintings depict the lives and livelihoods of the people that lived in prehistoric times.
10. Chiang Mai Province
The cityscape of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand is nominated as a UNESCO world heritage site for its 300 Buddhist temples (wat). The Wat Phra Singh, for example, dates back to 1345, is popular for its traditional architecture and its decorative mural artistry and wooden carvings. The Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Chiang Man are old temples frequently visited by tourists in Thailand. Chiang Mai also hosts a variety of festivals celebrating Thai New Year and blooming season among others, making it a seat of Thai religious life within an urbanized setting.
11. Wat Phra That Phanom
The Wat Phra That Phanom is a Buddhist temple in North-eastern Thailand hosting a stupa which is said to contain the Buddha's breast bone. Significant to Theravada Buddhism, the temple is a popular pilgrimage site for many followers and foreigners alike. With a 57-meter-long pristine white and ornate gold stupa (or chedi), the relic is nominated to be protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site. An annual festival is held around the temple complex, as Buddhists from neighbouring countries come to pay their respects to the ancient relic. The decorative shrine is captivating with its traditional, gold-laden Thai structures attracting religious and cultural pilgrimages from all over the world.
