Phu Phrabat Receives UNESCO World Heritage Status: Grand Celebration on February 28
The Thai government is inviting citizens to join in celebrating UNESCO’s official recognition of Phu Phrabat as Thailand’s eighth World Heritage site and its fifth cultural heritage site. The event will take place in Udon Thani on February 28.
Sasikarn Watthanachan, deputy spokeswoman for the Prime Minister’s Office, announced on Saturday that UNESCO has designated Phu Phrabat Historical Park in Udon Thani as a World Heritage Site under the name Phu Phrabat: A Testimony to the Sima Stone Tradition of the Dvaravati Period.
This recognition marks Thailand’s eighth World Heritage site and its fifth cultural heritage site. It is also the second World Heritage site in Udon Thani, following the Ban Chiang archaeological site, which was listed by UNESCO in 1992. The official declaration has been signed and endorsed by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
Celebration Event Details
A grand celebration will be held on February 28 at Phu Phrabat Historical Park, beginning at 4 PM. The event will feature a range of cultural activities and performances, including:
- Traditional art performances by the Tai Phuan community in Ban Phue district
- The planting of a ruang phueng tree in honor of the monarchy
- Installation of the World Heritage emblem and tourism-promotion signs
- A Buddhist blessing ceremony at the Nang Usa Tower Ancient Site
- A performance of the Phu Phrabat Legend: Usa-Baras, accompanied by a Khon performance
Significance of Phu Phrabat’s Heritage Status
Sasikarn highlighted the importance of this recognition, stating, “Registering Phu Phrabat Historical Park as a World Heritage site is a source of pride for Thailand and its people. It showcases the value and significance of Thai cultural heritage on an international level. The government believes this recognition will drive cultural tourism, enhance Thailand’s global reputation, and create sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.”
Archaeological and Cultural Significance
Phu Phrabat has a history of human settlement dating back over 2,500 to 3,000 years. The site contains more than 54 ancient rock paintings, providing evidence of prehistoric communities. Natural rock shelters have also been modified into religious sites spanning multiple cultural periods, including the Dvaravati, Khmer, Lan Xang, and Rattanakosin eras. These artifacts reflect the evolving social and religious beliefs of the region’s inhabitants over thousands of years.
Due to its archaeological significance, the Department of Fine Arts secured 3,430 rai (549 hectares) of land from the National Forest Reserve with permission from the Forest Department, officially registering it as an archaeological site. The site was officially recognized in the Royal Gazette in 1981, and ongoing conservation efforts led to its elevation to the status of Phu Phrabat Historical Park.
The park was officially inaugurated on June 26, 1992, in a ceremony presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Preservation and Management
Currently, Phu Phrabat Historical Park is managed by the Fine Arts Department, Region 8, under the Ministry of Culture. The department oversees the conservation, research, and development of the archaeological site while ensuring its role as a cultural learning resource and tourist destination.
The park houses 78 registered archaeological sites, offering invaluable insight into the region’s historical and cultural evolution. These sites serve as crucial evidence of the continuous cultural development of northeastern Thailand from prehistoric times to the present.
As Thailand prepares to officially celebrate this milestone, the event at Phu Phrabat Historical Park on February 28 promises to be a memorable occasion, uniting heritage, culture, and national pride.
