On 27 July 2024, the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), held in New Delhi, the Republic of India, inscribed the “Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sima stone tradition of the Dvaravati period” on the World Heritage List under the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The “Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sima stone tradition of the Dvaravati period” becomes the 8th World Heritage site of Thailand. Thailand’s existing World Heritage Sites also include (1) Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns; (2) Historic City of Ayutthaya; (3) Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries; (4) Ban Chiang Archaeological Site; (5) Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex; (6) Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex and (7) The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments.

The Phu Phrabat site consists of Phu Phrabat Historical Park and the Sima cultural sites. It represents the Sima stone tradition from the Dvaravati period, dating back to around the 8th Century, and preserves the largest corpus of Sima stones in the world. The Phu Phrabat site is located in Udon Thani, which has now become the only province in Thailand that is home to two World Heritage Sites.

During the same World Heritage Committee session, “Songkhla and its Associated Lagoon Settlements” was added to the Tentative List of the World Heritage.

The inscription of Phu Phrabat on the World Heritage List is not only significant to Thailand, but it will also benefit future generations. This will bring forth conservation, restoration, and protection efforts at all levels, as well as contributions to academic research in the interest of humankind.