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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has launched a project to develop a flood risk mitigation plan for Ayutthaya's World Heritage sites.
According to Unesco director Kim Gwang-Jo, more than 150 historic monuments in Ayutthaya were affected by the 2011 floods. Recovery efforts by the authorities are still continuing.
"However, up to now there have not been any initiatives aimed specifically at addressing the flood risks threatening the historic city of Ayutthaya as a cultural heritage site of local, national and global significance," he said.
Disaster risk mitigation has been singled out as one of the top priorities for World Heritage sites in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Through this project, Ayutthaya will be the first World Heritage site in Southeast Asia with a management plan for flood risk mitigation, setting an example for other World Heritage sites around the region and beyond," Kim said.
Led by the Unesco Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands, the project received US$200,000 (6 million baht) from the Asian Development Bank to undertake two-year research. The initial findings will be launched by October this year and the final solution will be purposed to government agencies by September 2014.
Unesco expects that the effort will set a standard for other World Heritage sites to have a natural risk mitigation plan.
"After the floods, the immediate concern was restoration of the heritage sites. If you take a longer-term perspective, you need to prepare for the future. Being proactive is better because it means we are well prepared," Kim said.
"We selected Ayutthaya because the heritage sites there were affected the most," said Unesco Institute for Water Education associate professor Zoran Vojinovic.
The study will cover not only the old city of Ayutthaya but also its vicinities in order to find practical solutions, he said, adding that the institute will capitalise on its expertise in water management and will also invite specialists from the International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness of the International Council on Monuments and Sites.
"We will also work closely with local agencies such as the Asian Institute of Technology and the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute which also give us strong support. We hope that the outcome will complement the government's work."
According to the Fine Arts Department director-general Sahawat Naenna, the department supports Unesco's flood risk management study.
"As you know, several heritage sites in Ayutthaya were affected by massive flooding in 2011," he said, adding that the floods damaged 127 sites out of 303 historical sites throughout the nation. About 70% have been fully restored.
"We still have 60 sites to go. The restoration process is taking longer than we anticipated because when we restore one point, we find other spots which need to be repaired too," he said, adding that the department was delighted that this international collaboration will ensure an appropriate and efficient approach to preserving the nation's cultural treasures.
"When we get the findings, we will make a proposal to the government to allocate a budget. I believe the final plan will comprise short, middle and long term plans, as well as a couple of risk management models that we can follow," Sahawat said.
According to Unesco's Culture Unit head Tim Curtis, the project will benefit World Heritage sites in other countries also affected by flooding such as Pakistan, which was flooded in 2011, and Cambodia, as well as the Philippines.
World Heritage sites also need to be prepared for the threats of other natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires.
"If you lose a World Heritage site, it is gone forever. You cannot rebuild it," he said, adding that it is better to have a risk mitigation plan in place.
Sukhothai gets walking street
Sukhothai town has opened a walking street next to the Yom River.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand Sukhothai office director Saratwadee Asasupakit, the idea was to create a marketplace for local products.
"On the first day [March 16], more than 10,000 people visited the walking street. This is an overwhelming response," she said.
The shopping street is held every Saturday evening on Nikhon Kasem Road passing the house of the Sukhothai governor. Hundreds of outlets sell food, Otop products and local handicrafts. There are also corners for learning about handmade products, as well as outdoor performances.
Call 055-616-228 or visit www.tourismthailand.org/sukhothai.
New tourism attraction in Northeast
Play La Ploen Boutique Resort Adventure Camp recently opened in Buri Ram.
The resort was founded by the Bright Group, an English tutoring school, with a 60-million baht investment. The aim is to have a new tourism attraction and an outdoor classroom for children in the Northeast.
The project combines resort facilities including 20 guest rooms, seminar and function rooms, galleries and an outdoor zone for children offering activities such wall-climbing, kayaking and driving ATVs. There is also a farm, as well as dog shows to entertain visitors.
Play La Ploen is located on a 26-rai plot in Khu Muang district, 32km north of the town. Entrance fees are 20 baht for children and 50 baht for adults.
Visit www.playlaploen.com.
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Source: http://www.news.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/28/unesco-focuses-on-ayutthayas-world-heritage-sites/
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