Bt1.4 bn needed to restore Ayutthaya's historic sites

BANGKOK, December 6 (TNA) - Thailand's Ministry of Culture has sought a Cabinet approval of some 1.48 billion baht to restore flood-damaged historic sites in the central Ayutthaya Province. According to Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome, the proposed state budget will be used to finance the rehabilitation of some 313 flooded historic sites in the old Thai capital. The minister said that other ancient sites in Ayutthaya have also been damaged by recent flooding; so her ministry will also seek support from the local private sector and relevant agencies for the restoration of the national heritages. The Culture Minister acknowledged that a restructuring plan is now needed to prevent flood damage to the priceless ancient sites in Ayutthaya in the future, including the construction of a permanent floodwall around the city. Meanwhile, Thai and Japanese experts are scheduled to visit Ayutthaya's historical sites on December 18 to re-assess damage caused by deep floodwater over the past couple of months, following an initial assessment supported by experts from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (TNA)