webfact Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 PHUKET World Heritage status sought for Phuket City By Pakamard Jaichalard The Nation The Senate tourism committee has asked the Culture Ministry to push for listing the century-old Sino-Portuguese buildings in Phuket city as well as the resort island itself as United Nations World Heritage Sites. Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat said yesterday that he had assigned the Fine Arts Department to see whether the old town and the island matched the selection criteria of the World Heritage Committee. The Senate committee's panel for following through on the country's world heritage development for tourism had proposed two options, he said. The first is world heritage registration of the Sino-Portuguese buildings. The ministry was asked to conserve and restore the structures as close as possible to their original condition while improving the environs by burying all wires. Phuket would join with Malaysia's Malacca and Penang, as they all shared this traditional architectural design. The second option is the registration of Phuket island on its own, citing its outstanding cultural and natural features along with Phang Nga Bay and Krabi. The Sino-Portuguese style, with influences from the East and West, appeared in 1511 on the Malay Peninsula. Similar buildings can be seen in Malacca and Penang as well as Singapore and Macau. Thailand has such buildings in Phuket, Ranong, Krabi, Phang Nga and Trang. Most were built during the time of Phraya Rassadanupradit Mahissarapakdi (Khaw Sim Bee Na Ranong), who governed Phuket from 1901-1913 during King Rama V's reign. In 1994, Phuket Municipality designated the Sino-Portuguese town covering 210 rai (33.6 hectares) on Rassada, Phang Nga, Yaowarat, Krabi, Deebuk and Thalang and Thepkasattri roads as a conservation area and prohibited buildings more than 12 metres high. The world heritage idea was discussed when the panel raised four issues with Nipit over Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historic Park. The issues were the government's unclear policy towards the park, the lack of education about the site for Thais, the disunity in administration and development of the park, and insufficient public relations work. Agencies in the area must understand their duties regarding the park, as several tasks were not the Fine Arts Department's responsibilities, such as re-landscaping and burying the power wires. The administrative power over this world heritage site was also assigned to the governor. The Fine Arts Department would promote the park among the public, Nipit said. -- The Nation 2011-01-11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmitch Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I can understand the first option but the whole of Phuket as a World Heritage site????????????????? I suppose Bangla Road is quite unique and the unfinished buildings on the hills near Simon Cabaret may one day rank alongside Gaudi's La Segrada Familia in Barcelona. However, on a positive note, the amount of clean up and building control should Phuket seriously be nominated would only be good for residents. Wouldn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnxforever Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I can understand the first option but the whole of Phuket as a World Heritage site????????????????? I suppose Bangla Road is quite unique and the unfinished buildings on the hills near Simon Cabaret may one day rank alongside Gaudi's La Segrada Familia in Barcelona. However, on a positive note, the amount of clean up and building control should Phuket seriously be nominated would only be good for residents. Wouldn't it? " as well as the resort island itself" I am as surprised about this statement as you are. To set the record straight - TIT the only reason why this application is made - yes you guessed right - MONEY ! Most people here don't give a dam_n about "heritage" or preservation - Thailand has recently been harshly criticized of not being able to maintain and preserve their already existing world heritage sites. Clever local politicians know that a lot of money will be rolling their way for "restoration and preservation" purposes before applying for heritage site status from the UN. While I applaud the restoration and preservation of historical sites it has to be done for the right reasons - but for sure not the corrupt skimming of a large percentage of the funds allocated. And whoever came up with the idea to make "all of Phuket" a world heritage site should maybe first be thinking of cleaning up the mess they have created, beautify the existing overbuilt areas and preserve whatever natural habitat is left on the island on- and offshore before it is to late! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nawtier Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I think this is a wonderful opportunity for Thailand to become the hub of world heritage thingy's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Has anyone been in some of these historical masterpieces? I have. Usually they are poorly maintained, filthy and ravaged by black mold. Maybe the local government should consider some basic housecleaning first? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBikeBKK Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I really expected this to be one of those "NotTheNation" satirical pieces... :jap: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doggie888888 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 This is almost as funny as Pattaya bidding to host the world expo 2020. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aperturebkk Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) simply not or should never be worthy of world heritage status period. phuket is nothing but a few nice beaches, lot's of traffic, lots of accident, lot's of xxxxx in uniform and so on. with that aside though it's probably a nice place to raise a family. Edited January 11, 2011 by aperturebkk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiawatcher Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 As already stated, I think the only reason for the request is for 'someone' to make money from the project! No other tangible reason really... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felt 35 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 the resort island itself as United Nations World Heritage Sites. Amazing…..the local Government is not even capable of keep the city and the parks tidy and clean........world heritage status… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardy1943 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 simply not or should never be worthy of world heritage status period. phuket is nothing but a few nice beaches, lot's of traffic, lots of accident, lot's of xxxxx in uniform and so on. with that aside though it's probably a nice place to raise a family. Macau in the old city is worthy of world heritage status. Sorry Phuket city you are far removed from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuang Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdnvic Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I can understand the first option but the whole of Phuket as a World Heritage site????????????????? I dunno... much of it resembles Pompeii. Just a little dirtier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVinylMan Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 hahahhhaa has april 1st come early????? wont happen as long as i got a hole in my ass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoorSucker Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 This is almost as funny as Pattaya bidding to host the world expo 2020. in the news today. "Cabinet gives green light for Thailand to become a candidate city to host the 2026 World Cup." :lol: Quatar got it sooo, yes we can. :ph34r: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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