Thailand Prepares Chiang Mai Ahead of UNESCO World Heritage Site Inspection

Culture Minister Sabida Thaiseth visited Chiang Mai to inspect the province’s preparedness ahead of a technical evaluation by UNESCO inspectors for its nomination as a world heritage site. The site, nominated under the title ‘Cultural Area, Sites and Monuments of Chiang Mai, Capital of Lanna’, will undergo a field assessment by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) from 3 to 8 August 2026. During the visit on Monday (20/7), Sabida examined several key historical locations, including the city’s ancient gates and major temples such as Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Chiang Man. The inspection focused on conservation, site management, and data preparation. The nomination submission was accepted by the Thai government cabinet in January 2026 before being formally submitted to the World Heritage Centre in Paris last February. The sites have been on UNESCO’s tentative list since 2015. According to the Ministry of Culture, the nomination emphasises Chiang Mai’s universal values as a representation of Lanna civilisation from the 14th and 15th centuries. The proposed buildings consist of three main groups: the old city gates and walls, and several historic temples including Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Chet Yot. Regarding the field assessment, Thailand will coordinate with ICOMOS to provide additional data ahead of the final review by the World Heritage Committee, which is planned to take place during its annual session in mid-2027.