Thailand to propose Phra That Phanom as new world heritage site

BANGKOK, Jan 24 (TNA) - The Cabinet today agreed to propose Phra That Phanom pagoda in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom as a new UNESCO world heritage site. After the Cabinet’s resolution, Culture Minister Veera Rojpojanarat said the next step is to compile document, which will be submitted to the UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre in Paris for consideration to add Phra Tham Phanom in the tentative list during the July meeting of the World Heritage committee in Krakow, Poland. Mr Veera said Phra That Phanom pagoda, its related historic building and associated landscape met three selection criteria of the UNESCO as it represents human’s remarkable talent and creativity, influences architectural development and has historical importance. Phra That Phanom is 59 metres tall and located 600 metres, west of the Mekong River and is one of the oldest pagodas in Thailand’s Northeast. According to the legend, the pagoda contains the Lord Buddha's breast bone and is widely worshiped by Buddhists in Thailand and Laos. (TNA)