BMA takes key role at old sites
THE Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) says it has taken charge of 333 historical sites in Bangkok - including Mahakan Fort and Khlong Padung Krung Kasem - from the Fine Arts Department, because the city can conserve them effectively.
Wanchai Thanomsak, the BMA’s director of city planning, said yesterday there were 535 sites in Bangkok deemed worthy of conservation, 191 registered sites and 344 unregistered sites.
Wanchai said the Fine Arts Department had also invited the BMA to a meeting to prepare a request to have Wat Suthat Thepwararam and the Giant Swing – or Sao Chingcha – listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Culture Ministry said last month Wat Suthat deserved World Heritage status because its design strictly adhered to Buddhist disciplines and has many important Buddha statues from the Sukhothai era.
The ministry said the temple and the landmark Sao Chingcha, which is located in front of the temple and was built according to Hindu religion, show a diversity of beliefs in Thai society, while the surrounding area echoes the spirit of old downtown Bangkok.
