Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn) has initiated discussions with experts from the Fine Arts Department to develop strategies for registering the temple's central prang as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recognized as a significant historical site and a prominent tourism symbol of Thailand, Wat Arun is prepared to proceed with the application. Phra Brahma Vajiramedhi has announced plans to establish a dedicated committee to oversee the effort, which is expected to take at least four years.
In collaboration with the Fine Arts Department, it was confirmed that Wat Arun meets the required criteria, such as authenticity and comprehensive management. The temple’s prang, an internationally recognized symbol of Thailand, has the potential to fulfill UNESCO’s requirements of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
Phra Wachiratanaporn shared insights on the rigorous UNESCO selection process. Currently, 196 countries are members of the World Heritage Convention, with 1,223 World Heritage Sites globally. Of these, 952 are cultural heritage sites spanning 149 countries. Sites must meet stringent criteria, including exceptional global significance, integrity, authenticity, and sustainable management, to qualify.