Sabida Thai Setth expressed congratulations on Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province being inscribed as a UNESCO cultural world heritage site. Suchart Chomklin pointed out that this is a valuable heritage that every Thai person can take pride in.
On 25 July 2026, reporters reported that the Facebook page of Ms. Sabida Thai Setth, Minister of Culture, who is currently on an overseas mission, broadcasted a live stream of the consideration for nominating Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province as a UNESCO cultural world heritage site. This took place during the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) in South Korea.
The consideration occurred at 15:00 local Korean time (13:00 Thailand time). This meeting is a significant global platform where the nomination of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan as a cultural world heritage site under the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) criteria was reviewed, reflecting its historical, artistic, architectural, and religious significance spanning over a thousand years.
Later, Ms. Sabida posted a congratulatory message onFacebookstating, “Making history! Congratulations to fellow Thais: Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the first world heritage site in the South and the ninth cultural world heritage site of Thailand — a source of pride from the land of Nakhon Si Thammarat to humanity’s valuable heritage.”
On the other hand, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, who attended alongside Ms. Sabida, also revealed viaFacebookthat this marks a historic record, congratulating the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat and all Thais. Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is the first world heritage site in the South.
Thailand achieved a major success on the global stage following the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, which approved the inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan as a cultural world heritage site under criteria 2 and 6. This is Thailand’s sixth cultural world heritage site and ninth world heritage site overall, as well as the South’s first, instilling pride nationwide.
This success results from the dedication and collaboration of all sectors. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment closely integrated its work with all relevant agencies. Dr. Raweewan Puridej, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and overseer of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), together with executives, officials, and staff, actively propelled the mission and supported the Thai delegation in presenting academic information to the World Heritage Committee, culminating in the successful inscription of the new world heritage site.
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan was inscribed due to its outstanding universal value as a site reflecting religious diversity and spiritual beliefs. It features key elements showcasing the influence of religion and art that have connected people across the Maritime Southeast Asia region for over 1,500 years. It also serves as a center of tradition and culture, continuously preserved through a unique blend of indigenous beliefs and religious teachings, earning recognition for its outstanding universal value (OUV).
“I congratulate all Thai citizens, especially the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. This success belongs not only to Nakhon Si Thammarat but to the entire nation. It is a valuable heritage that all Thais can be proud of, and we all share the responsibility to preserve and pass on these values to future generations.”
Participants included Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, serving as First Vice Chairperson of the National Committee for the World Heritage Convention and head of the Thai delegation; Ms. Sabida Thai Setth, Minister of Culture, as Third Vice Chairperson of the National Committee and Chairperson of the Cultural World Heritage Subcommittee; alongside representatives from related agencies including the Fine Arts Department, Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, and Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.