Pictures courtesy of Kaoded

 

The 121-year-old Phra That Non Tan, a historic chedi in Tha Uthen district of Nakhon Phanom, collapsed entirely on 12 October 2025 at 09:40, shocking residents who consider it a spiritual and community landmark. The collapse left the structure in ruins, creating sadness among local villagers who have long regarded the site as a centre of faith.

 

Deputy Governor Worawit Pimpanit, acting for the Governor of Nakhon Phanom, promptly visited Wat Phra That Non Tan in Tambon Non Tan to inspect the damage. The chedi was found reduced to rubble, highlighting the loss of a significant cultural and religious site.

 

Phra That Non Tan has served as a historic symbol in the area for more than a century. The site, officially registered as an ancient monument by the Fine Arts Department, has been under the care of the 9th Regional Office of Archaeology in Ubon Ratchathani. Its origins trace back to 1877 when local settlers discovered the ruins of a small chedi surrounded by forest. Major construction and restoration began in 1902, led by the local elder Phor Tao Ang, but the work remained unfinished after he disappeared.

 

A significant restoration took place between 1937 and 1943, with monks, novices and villagers contributing to complete the chedi and build the ubosot, resulting in a 36-metre-tall structure with a base measuring 7.5 metres per side. Architecturally, it featured a mandapa-style chedi with a square lotus top, similar to Phra That Phanom before its 1940s restoration. In 1993, the chedi’s spire was renewed to replace damage caused by time and exposure.

 

The collapse is believed to be due to age-related deterioration and the original brick-and-mortar construction, which had developed cracks over time. Although the Fine Arts Department had allocated funds for restoration and repairs were underway, the chedi fell before these works were completed.

 

Local religious leaders and residents expressed sorrow. “This chedi is the heart of the temple and the community,” said Phra Kru Udomkit Phipat, acting abbot of Wat Phra That Non Tan. He pledged to unite efforts to restore the chedi to its former grandeur. Authorities have recorded the incident, launched an investigation, and begun cataloguing valuable items from the ruins.

 

The provincial government is coordinating with the Fine Arts Department for urgent restoration to preserve the site as a cultural heritage and spiritual landmark.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Phra That Non Tan, a 121-year-old chedi, collapsed on 12 October 2025, shocking local residents.

• Restoration works had been planned, but age-related structural weaknesses caused the sudden collapse.

• Authorities are coordinating with the Fine Arts Department for urgent repair and future preservation.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-10-13

 

 

 

 

 

Fortunate that nobody was in it or nearby when it happened.

I'd say the local villagers are just mourning the loss of their income from tourists visiting the area.

So cherished but left to fall

On 10/13/2025 at 5:19 AM, Georgealbert said:

Although the Fine Arts Department had allocated funds for restoration and repairs were underway, the chedi fell before these works were completed.

I wonder if this will be the focus of any investigation...

Unfortunately this is typical here with many things. Wait until they have a problem then fix it. If they already approved it for maintenance why didn’t they speak up to get the job done. Always a step or 2 behind. 

It was quite old and building standards in the past were not comparable to todays, where nothing collapses unless someone blows hard.