Many Sites In Ayutthaya Face Risk Of Crumbling: Thailand Flood

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FLOOD CRISIS

Many sites in Ayutthaya face risk of crumbling

Phatarawadee Phataranawik

The Nation

Fine Arts chief leads Unesco team on inspection tour

Many experts are worried that an ancient pagoda in Ayutthaya might come tumbling down because its base has been found to be severely damp, Soamsuda Leeyawanich, director general of the Fine Arts Department, said yesterday.

She was inspecting historical sites in Ayutthaya with experts from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). Ayutthaya, which was granted the World Heritage status in 1991, was one of the many provinces devastated by one of the worst floods in decades.

"There is concern that the base may no longer be strong enough to carry the weight of the [centuries old] pagoda," she said, adding that there were some signs of the top of the pagoda crumbling.

With flood waters slowly receding, large cracks are starting to be noticed in several statues and ancient structures that have been submerged for more than a month. The most famous reclining Buddha in Wat Lokkaya-suttharam is also severely cracked.

Soamsuda said her department would spend more than Bt600 million on repairing the 130 historical sites damaged by the floods. She added that the Unesco team was gathering information to seek funding for the restoration. So far, the UN agency has approved US$72,000 (Bt2.24 million) in initial assistance.

"Unesco will review all the relevant information to consider additional grants if the government makes a request," Soamsuda explained, adding that the team of experts had also provided useful advice on how to restore the sites in line with international standards.

Archaeology expert Toko Futagami said she would examine the brick walls of Wat Phra Si Sanphat before providing guidelines on how to deal with the moss and water stains. Some ancient structures like Wat Chaiwattanaram are still flooded, though Chaiyanand Busayarat, director of the Ayutthaya Historical Park, said he hoped the waters would recede by next week.

"After that inspections can be conducted to determine the damages," he said. As of yesterday, the area was under nearly a metre of water.

Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome said her ministry was planning to seek more than Bt1.4 billion for the restoration of 313 historical sites damaged by floods across the country.

"The Culture Ministry will make the request at the Cabinet meeting next week," she said.

According to her, a committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit had already approved the list of these historical sites.

-- The Nation 2011-12-01

[geriatrickid]

The floods have only hastened the inevitable. Sorry, but decades of previous neglect have not left these structures in the best of shape. Not finger pointing, but the preservation of these structures requires a small fortune. I'll leave it to those with an interest in "culture", history and architecture to argue the merits of continuing to spend money on crumbling buildings.Humans have a tough time accepting that sometimes buildings wear out and that they are not physically able to withstand the ravages of time. They can spend 100 million baht cleaning the moss and water stains, or they can spend it on proper flood prevention. What do you think will have longer term benefit and that will act in the long term preservation of historical structures best? yea, yea, I know, the site attracts tourists and holds a special place in the hearts of some, but it's like a limb that's badly infected: Sometimes you have to amputate.

[pisico]

The floods have only hastened the inevitable. Sorry, but decades of previous neglect have not left these structures in the best of shape. Not finger pointing, but the preservation of these structures requires a small fortune. I'll leave it to those with an interest in "culture", history and architecture to argue the merits of continuing to spend money on crumbling buildings.Humans have a tough time accepting that sometimes buildings wear out and that they are not physically able to withstand the ravages of time. They can spend 100 million baht cleaning the moss and water stains, or they can spend it on proper flood prevention. What do you think will have longer term benefit and that will act in the long term preservation of historical structures best? yea, yea, I know, the site attracts tourists and holds a special place in the hearts of some, but it's like a limb that's badly infected: Sometimes you have to amputate.

Agree.

It should be both.

Flood prevention as it is a seasonal fact known for eons. It has nothing to do with global warming, global cooling, el nino, etc. It is inherent to the region.

I was in the Philippines in July and August when 2 typhoons hit the islands one after the other yet, floods there lasted a couple of days thanks to basic flood management procedures . Not in Amazing Thailand.

Where do those fees go (paid by foreigners) who visit Ayuttaya?

Why can't Thailand preserve its own history if Thais are so proud of it?

Why go to Unesco and ask for that crooked organization to recover and restore the site?

Oops! Sorry! I forgot. That is a potential source of graft for the local politicos.

Never mind!

Edited December 1, 2011 by pisico