Thailand's Nakhon Si Thammarat province is preparing documents to register Wat Phra Mahathat as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thailand's Wat Phra Mahathat (Source: VNA)

Following the inclusion of Thai Khon dance in UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Deputy Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat held a meeting to prepare documents to register the ancient temple as a world heritage site. The documents will be presented to the Cabinet.

President of the province's cultural council, Ass. Prof. Chatchai Suphakrachan, revealed that the Cabinet should be able to receive and submit the documents to UNESCO in early January.

The council is also in the process of excavating an archeological site at Wat Maheyong in Tha Sala district for evidence of Buddhist relics that would further support the case of Wat Phra Mahathat playing a key role in the flourishing of Theravada Buddhism.

It will also host an international ecclesiastical seminar between 16 Asian countries on 14-19 February and organise Buddhist activities at Wat Phra Mahathat during Makha Bucha Day to showcase the temple's longstanding role in the province's Buddhist culture.

(Source: NNT/VNA)