UNESCO offers help for flood-hit Ayutthaya World Heritage site

BANGKOK, Oct 7 - The United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Friday offered the Thai authorities emergency assistance for the ancient city of Ayutthaya now affected by heavy flooding, if it is needed.

In a statement released here on Friday, the Bangkok-based UNESCO Asia-Pacific regional headquarters said the World Heritage site of Ayutthaya, which occupies the western half of the inner island of Ayutthaya, now faces the threat of inundation as water levels continue to rise. Monuments and temples outside the site perimeter (technically not part of the World Heritage-designated zone), including the spectacular Wat Chaiwattanaram on the opposite bank of the river, have already been flooded for days.

The statement quoted local authorities on-site as saying that if the inner city could not be protected, flooding might be even more serious than the major flood of 1995, and could affect the whole city, including the entire World Heritage property.

The heritage site managers said that after the water subsides, they may need help from UNESCO for a damage survey and emergency preparedness planning to minimise damage from future incidents, the statement said.

The world cultural body said Thailand was eligible to apply for emergency assistance from the World Heritage Fund. The assistance may be requested to undertake emergency measures or to draw up an emergency plan for safeguarding the property. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-07

The United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Friday offered the Thai authorities emergency assistance

Will she echo her brother's words?

"UN is not my father"

- Thaksin Shinawatra, in a reply to a reporter when asked to comment on the Human Rights Office of the UN going to send officers to observe the implementation of the Thai anti-drug scheme.

Send more condoms, last lot were Aroi Mac.

Send more condoms, last lot were Aroi Mac.

You ate them!!!

Send more condoms, last lot were Aroi Mac.

You ate them!!!

.....doesnt the latex get stuck in your teeth.... .....maybe they are strawberry or somtam flavour...

Where's the "but" and "must read" content?

Perfect, apply for financial aid from UNESCO. 10% might reach the flood area.

Where's the "but" and "must read" content?

Exactly. I was thinking the same.

I seem to remember that UNESCO delisted Ayudhya as a heritage site, due to the attrociously poor maintenance and that the Abhisit government threw the teddy out of the pram over Pra Viharn and tendered its resignation from UNESCO.

Haven't the Thais withdrawn from the UNESCO over Preah Vihar?

Uh...after the water subsides and they survey the damage they want to do an emergency preparedness plan? Dudes, that ain't no plan. Doubt if there is a word here for plan anyway, as it is never evident in practice. The purpose of a disaster preparedness and recovery plan is to have put measures and steps in place in advance that kick in automatically so as not to waste time and money trying to figure out how to cope with devastation and gather resources after the fact.

Where are all the fortune tellers that folks here throw money at? Why did they not warn the citizens? Only two answers to that question so decide which is better and take your pick: 1) they didn't see it coming, which negates their ability to forecast the future and makes them of no value, or 2) nobody paid them so no free lunch.

Send more condoms, last lot were Aroi Mac.

Where's the "but" and "must read" content?

Yes I am still waiting for the but bit...... (That's but and not butt people)

The whole place is stinking and blackened by coal mills anyways... one Thai tried to 'help' and got murderd

The whole place is stinking and blackened by coal mills anyways... one Thai tried to 'help' and got murderd

Love your icon photo.

Exactly right.

Two sides of the same coin.

Neither in Thailand's best interest.

About the flooding.

Nothing surprising about the flooding so why only now think about being prepared against floods?

Only a really, really high dyke all the way around with powerful pumps inside would keep it dry in floods so why any need for research?