The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Religion led a delegation to meet with local leaders to prepare for Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan's registration as a new cultural World Heritage site in Thailand's south region, the first of its kind there.
On 13 July 2026, Mrs. Thiwalrat Angkinan, Member of Parliament for Phetchaburi from the Bhumjaithai Party and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Religion, Arts and Culture, together with committee members, held a meeting to gather opinions and discuss with the abbot of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, the Deputy Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Mr. Satha Khawkham, advisor to the Minister of Transport, and relevant government officials. The purpose was to jointly plan preparations for UNESCO's anticipated designation of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan as a cultural World Heritage site.
If officially registered, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan will become Thailand's sixth cultural World Heritage site and the first in the southern region, marking a historic milestone in preserving the nation's religious, artistic, and cultural heritage. Managing the site post-registration will require integrated cooperation among all sectors, including the temple, Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipality, the Provincial Administrative Organization of Nakhon Si Thammarat, the Fine Arts Department, educational institutions, and local communities.
Mrs. Thiwalrat stated that the preparation aims to ensure efficient World Heritage site management while maintaining public faith and promoting cultural tourism to increase income for communities, the province, and the country. The meeting discussed various aspects such as transportation systems and services, organizing visitor entry and exit points, traffic and parking management, as well as systematic installation of signage. It also covered community and vendor regulation, souvenir shops, information centers, tour guide management, hygiene, environmental care, waste management, and restroom facilities to accommodate both Thai and international tourists in the future, along with revenue and expenditure management of the area.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Religion congratulated the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat and all agencies involved in advancing this historic mission. She emphasized that this success is not only a source of pride for the local community but for all Thais. The registration elevates the status of an important ancient site and publicly acknowledges its historical, artistic, architectural, and cultural significance preserved and passed down by the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat over a long period.
Additionally, Mrs. Thiwalrat proposed appointing specialists to properly conserve the artifacts according to academic standards and enhancing security measures to meet international criteria. She noted that Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is not only a valuable historical heritage site but also a vital center of faith and spiritual significance for Buddhists across Thailand.