The principal chedi of Prayurawongsawas Worawihan Buddha temple (Wat) in
Bangkok has been honoured with the Award of Excellence in the UNESCO
2013 Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
The award recognises the restoration work undertaken
on the principal chedi and its attached area for the technical
achievement and outstanding social impact.
The
restoration of the temple’s principal chedi reflects technical
understanding and creates awareness on the value of cultural heritage in
surrounding communities. It also preserves one of the most iconic
religious monuments in the capital of Thailand.
There are 47 projects from 16 countries across the Asia-Pacific region
took part in the award this year, in which Thai renovation project in
Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawihan won the first place, the Award of
Excellence.
The second place went to three places,
including the Great Serai in Afghanistan, Lal Chimney Compound in Mumbai
and Khaplu Palace in Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan.
Nine cultural heritage projects in Thailand have won the awards,
including the restoration of Wat Sa Thong in Khon Kaen, the Amphawa
community in Samut Songkhram and an office of the Crown Property Bureau
in Chachoengsao province.-VNA