Thailand wins UNESCO award for cultural heritage conservation

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BANGKOK, 4 September 2013 UNESCO has granted the Award of Excellence in the 2013 Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation to the principal chedi of Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawihan in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Head of the Culture Unit in UNESCO Bangkok office Tim Curtis said the UNESCO headquarters had announced the results of the organization’s Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation for the year 2013. 47 projects from 16 countries participated in the award this year, including Thailand’s project to renovate the main chedi of Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawihan.

The Thai project won the first place or the Award of Excellence, with the second place being The Great Serai in Afghanistan, Lal Chimney Compound in Mumbai and Khaplu Palace in Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan.

UNESCO said the restoration of the temple’s principal chedi in Bangkok reflects technical understanding and creates awareness on the value of cultural heritage in surrounding communities.

Nine cultural heritage projects of Thailand have won the award, including the restoration of Wat Sa Thong in Khon Kaen, the Amphawa community in Samut Songkhram and an office of the Crown Property Bureau in Chachoengsao province.