As Thailand’s Si Thep joins Unesco list, tourism surge could cast shadow on ‘proud moment’

Si Thep is not ready to welcome tourists due to its lack of basic amenities such as parking spaces and waste facilities, an expert warns

The town is Thailand’s first cultural site in 31 years to be added to the Unesco list after Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Ban Chiang

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A view of the Si Thep historical site in Thailand’s Phetchabun province, which has been added to the Unesco cultural world heritage list. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:00am, 20 Sep 2023

Thailand’s ancient ruined town of Si Thep, a 1,500-year-old complex of temples, monasteries and other buildings, was added to Unesco’s world heritage list on Tuesday.

The site in Phetchabun province – some 200km (120 miles) north of Bangkok – is Thailand’s first cultural site to be recognised by Unesco since 1992.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin thanked the United Nations cultural body for the decision but an expert warned the complex is not ready for an influx of tourists.

Archaeologists date the statues and buildings of Si Thep, built by the Dvaravati civilisation, to between 1,500 and 1,700 years ago.

At its peak, the town was a thriving cultural and trading metropolis that celebrated Hindu and Buddhist beliefs.

The decision was announced by Unesco at a meeting in Riyadh, and in a prepared video message, Srettha thanked delegates for the listing.

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