Values and Potentials of Living Heritage Sites: Case Studies of Buddhist Stupa in Thailand for Listing as UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Abstract

Thailand has various tourist attractions with both natural and cultural heritage sites, along with five properties on the World Heritage List. In order to explore the nomination strategies to nominate properties to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, this case study focuses on four Buddhist stupas in four eminent cases in four regions of Thailand which are registered as historic sites by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand: 1. Wat Phra That Hariphunchai Woramahawihan in Lamphun Province; 2. Wat Phra That Phanom Woramahawihan in Nakhon Phanom Province; 3. Wat Phra Pathommachedi Ratcha Woramahawihan in Nakhon Pathom Province; and 4. Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. This study applies a combination of qualitative methods in assessing cultural heritage significance, authenticity, and integrity of the sites, including a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis.
The objectives of this research are: 1) To contribute to the body of knowledge of cultural heritage significance of the Buddhist stupas in Thailand, 2) To analyze the potential significance of cultural heritage proposed to join the World Heritage List, and 3) To identify strategies to control, manage and deal with any threats for nomination to the World Heritage List effectively and appropriately. Research reveals that these Buddhist stupas have potential to be nominated as a serial nomination of cultural heritage on the World Heritage List because of cultural values for national and international levels such as historical value, aesthetic value, social value, spiritual value and the enduring respect of Thai Buddhists to Buddhism through cultural heritage practices and traditions over time. The results of this paper also offer recommendations of a new strategy for Thailand in the process of nomination.