Wat Phra Mahathat Gains UNESCO World Heritage Status

TAT Launches Wat Phra Mahathat Tourism Campaign

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a year-round tourism campaign following the inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The site has become Thailand’s ninth UNESCO World Heritage property and the country’s sixth cultural World Heritage site. To mark the occasion, TAT has introduced the campaign, ‘The Twelve Sacred Discoveries Nakhon Si Thammarat: A Journey to World Heritage’, encouraging travellers to explore the site’s Buddhist heritage and local traditions throughout the year.

The inscription was approved during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from 19 to 29 July 2026, following a recommendation from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). The monastery was recognised for its Outstanding Universal Value under UNESCO criteria (ii) and (vi).

Founded in the eighth century, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan has long served as a Buddhist centre in the region. Its architecture and religious traditions reflect influences from northeastern India, central Java, Sri Lanka and the Mon region of southern Myanmar, which later shaped Buddhist art and architecture across Thailand and Southeast Asia.

The monastery continues to host long-standing cultural and religious traditions, including the annual cloth-wrapping ceremony for the Great Reliquary and performances of the Nora dance drama, helping preserve its cultural significance.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the recognition offers an opportunity to promote Nakhon Si Thammarat as a destination where faith, culture and local communities remain central to the visitor experience. She added that TAT aims to encourage responsible tourism, support local participation and help preserve the site’s cultural significance for future generations.

Thailand now has nine UNESCO World Heritage properties, comprising six cultural and three natural sites.

To celebrate the inscription, Nakhon Si Thammarat has organised a two-day programme concluding on 27 July, featuring Nora and Khon performances, merit-making ceremonies, Buddhist chanting, meditation sessions, ordinations and cultural exhibitions. Both Nora and Khon are recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

TAT is also operating a commemorative photo booth from 25 to 30 July, allowing visitors to receive printed and digital photographs celebrating the UNESCO inscription.

The celebrations will continue through TAT’s year-long campaign under the theme ‘Discover the Past. Share the Faith. Shape the Future.’ Each month will highlight different aspects of the monastery’s history, architecture, Buddhist traditions and local heritage while promoting responsible tourism, heritage conservation and community participation.

Participation in the commemorative activities is free of charge.

For more travel and tourism content, follow Safari India.