The committee visited Wat Phumin in Nan Province after floodwaters receded to inspect the ubosot (ordination hall), discovering multiple cracks and subsidence on the eastern side of the building.
At approximately 09:30 on 22 August 2026, Mr. Prasit Notha, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Religion, Arts, and Culture, along with his team, visited Wat Phumin in Nai Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Nan District, Nan Province to follow up and inspect the condition of the ubosot after the area experienced prolonged flooding.
Preliminary survey revealed abnormalities at several points on the ubosot, especially on the eastern side, where cracks and signs of structural subsidence were found, raising concerns about the long-term stability of the building.
Mr. Prasit stated that Wat Phumin is a landmark temple of Nan Province and an important historical site attracting tourists who come to pay respects to the Buddha image and admire Lanna mural paintings, notably the "Grandfather Man and Grandmother Man" murals, which are highly valuable cultural heritage.
Wat Phumin has been affected by flooding multiple times. Although floodwaters did not enter the ubosot directly, repeated surrounding flooding and accumulated moisture may have long-term impacts on the foundation and structure of this ancient building.
During the visit, cracks and signs of subsidence were observed. These may be linked to the cumulative effects of annual floods, but the exact causes remain unclear. A detailed examination by engineers and conservation experts is necessary to assess the extent of subsidence, crack characteristics, foundation condition, and moisture impact.
Mr. Prasit called on the Fine Arts Department and relevant engineering and conservation agencies to promptly send specialists to conduct thorough assessments and develop systematic prevention and repair plans, rather than waiting until structural damage becomes severe before restoration.
The abbot of Wat Phumin expressed concerns to the committee about the ubosot's structural condition and subsidence. Mr. Prasit advised the temple to formally submit a letter to the Committee on Religion, Arts, and Culture so this issue can be officially discussed and coordinated with expert agencies for action.
The temple also reported that after disasters like floods, related agencies’ responses and problem-solving have been insufficiently timely, while the heritage site faces ongoing risks from accumulated impacts each time flooding occurs.
Regarding safety, Mr. Prasit said the site remains open for worship and visits, with no immediate signs of acute danger, but the cracks and subsidence require close monitoring to ensure visitor safety.
The Wat Phumin ubosot is an ancient structure built using traditional techniques and wisdom, differing from modern buildings. Specialist expertise is essential to evaluate its stability and devise appropriate conservation measures that balance historical and architectural value with safety.
Mr. Prasit added that this problem is not limited to Wat Phumin, as Nan Province has many ancient temples and heritage sites across districts facing flooding, moisture, drought, and aging deterioration. Some restorations still rely on public donations, so continuous government inspection and maintenance systems are needed.
Wat Phumin has previously reported these issues to the Provincial Office of Buddhism and the Fine Arts Department, which acknowledged, surveyed, and analyzed the problems preliminarily, but no clear structural repair actions have yet been implemented.
The deputy chair emphasized that the next step should be to urgently assemble a team of engineers and heritage specialists to conduct in-depth inspections to assess subsidence levels, crack causes, foundation conditions, and moisture and flood impacts, then design reinforcement and damage prevention measures before the situation worsens.
This visit marks the beginning of efforts to push for serious structural assessments after Wat Phumin endured repeated flooding over several years. The observed subsidence and cracks serve as warning signs highlighting the urgent need to conserve this important cultural heritage of Nan Province to preserve its valuable art and history for the future.