Within the sun-kissed realm of Southern Thailand, the Songkhla province has rejuvenated its quest to earn a prestigious spot in Unesco’s World Heritage Site list. Spearheading this endeavor is the influential Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) along with the power of civil society, all who relentlessly attest to the timeless value of Songkhla’s charming old town.
In the words of PAO’s luminary, Chairman Paijen Maksuwan, during a synergistic meeting of local officials, consultants, and civic groups, they’ve commissioned an expert consultant, laser-focused on creating a failsafe plan to immortalize the old town. The plan will dutifully abide by Unesco’s stringent guidelines for world heritage, promoting sustainable growth while cherishing the precious cultural wealth of the land.
According to Chairman Paijen, the province acts as a bustling trading center for the region, teeming with an array of arts and a vibrant culture. These facets have been treasured through the leaves of history, spanning across centuries, bestowing Songkhla with a unique identity and place among national heritage sites.
Supporting this notion, Phoppon Thongkhanarak, the city planning division’s director within PAO, outlines the role of the consultant. This includes gauging the ‘outstanding’ values represented by the old town and establishing evaluation criteria that pinpoint the province’s potential in terms of development, sustainability, and heritage management.
Furthermore, the PAO has its sights set on various other historical sites within the province, planning to work closely with experts to delve into their potential as prospective entrants into Unesco’s World Heritage List.
Earlier in the process, two dedicated committees pushing for Songkhla’s world heritage status presented a draft document titled “Songkhla and related communities along Songkhla Lake” to the provincial governor, later transferred to the Fine Arts Department. This document laid out four noteworthy sites within the province proposed for Unesco’s tentative list, including the historic communities of Phangyang, Phakho, and Siyang, Sathing Phra, the old fortress at Khao Daeng and Laem Son, and of course, Songkhla’s charismatic old town.
In the majestic land of smiles, Thailand beholds four cultural and three natural World Heritage Sites, with a further six cultural and natural sites listed on the Unesco Tentative List. Such sites include the Phuphrabat Historical Park in Udon Thani, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom. Yet, there’s an unwavering belief that Songkhla and its old town are set to join this distinguished list, redefining Thailand’s rich heritage for the world to appreciate.
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