Phetchabun Governor Wison Kositanont expressed deep regret in a Facebook post that the accelerated influx of tourists to the local community had not been matched by the necessary amenities and services. Despite the setback, he remains a fervent advocate for Sri Thep’s World Heritage status.
As an influential driving force behind Sri Thep’s recognition as a heritage site, Wison is in an intimate position to understand the ramifications of this developing situation. He noted that the trend of holidaymakers flocking to Sri Thep seems to be an enduring one, suggesting that this only highlights the urgent necessity for Phetchabun province to create a community-focused tourist service centre.
According to Wison, this proposed centre would feature an array of attractions to cater to the varied interests of visitors, including locally made products, delicious food, unique souvenirs, numerous amenities, local guides, and tour services, all geared toward the ancient city of Sri Thep. Importantly, this would also serve as a valuable source of income generation for the local communities, crucial for supporting and sustaining their livelihoods.
Wison also proposed an ideal location for the tourist service centre – beyond the boundaries of the Sri Thep World Heritage Site. His reasoning is well-justified, given the restriction on conducting income-generating activities within the heritage site, therefore making an external location perfect for the proposed centre.
Of note, Sri Thep is not the first, but the fourth site in Thailand to gain the prestige of being listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The first heritage honor was given to the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site in Udon Thani way back in 1992. Sri Thep, however, was included under the coveted cultural category, distinguishing it amid the other heritage sites. This recognition provides a remarkable opportunity to highlight the rich cultural heritage of Thailand on the global stage and boost the economic prosperity of the local communities through enhanced tourism.
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