#Daytime News Online
Ayudhya – celebrating the success of the restoration project of Wat Chaiwattanaram in Ayutthaya Province.
On 15 November 2024, the United States Embassy in Thailand in collaboration with the Department of Fine Arts and the World Heritage Fund (WMF) held a closing ceremony for the restoration of Wat Chaiyawattanaram to celebrate the success of the project at Wat Chaiyawattanaram, Chaiyawattanaram. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
The project to restore Wat Chaiwattanaram under the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (U.S.). S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation: AFCP) began in 2012 and is a collaboration aimed at rebuilding 17th century temples after the Great Flood in 2011. Over the past 12 years, the project has received a total of US$1.8 million in funding from the US government, making it one of the largest AFCP projects in the world.
The closing ceremony of the restoration project of Chaiwattanaram Temple began with the opening of the exhibition hall of the assumed model of Chaiwattanaram Temple and bronze model. The exhibition was attended by Ambassador to the United States of America Robert F. Kodak, Mr. Phanombutr Chantarachote, Director General of Fine Arts Department and Jonathan Bell, Deputy Readers of the World Ancient Fund Project, attended the “Jong Priang” ceremony, a Buddhist fire service in the Ayutthaya period held in the twelfth month of every year, which coincides with the current Loi Krathong festival.
For the official closing ceremony, there was a video showing the cooperation between the US and Thailand in preserving Thailand’s cultural heritage over the past 12 years. On this occasion, Bella Rani Campen, a famous actress from the TV series “Buppesannivas”, mentioned the importance of Wat Chaiwattanaram and conservation of Thai cultural heritage. “Cultural conservation is one of the long-standing links between the two nations. The purpose of the fund is to show respect to other cultures around the world and to show our friendship. For Thailand, we have contributed 20 projects to help preserve Thailand’s outstanding cultural heritage. The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation is one of the largest projects in the world: the restoration of this beautiful 17th century temple. Our contributions here will help the Meru and the Southern Floodproof Wall protect this landmark for future generations. And not only for the next generation of Thai people, but also thousands of tourists visiting the former capital of Siam here.”
In addition to funding the restoration of Wat Chaiwattanaram, the US Embassy in Thailand also organised public diplomacy for students, students and local communities to raise awareness of the government’s support for cultural heritage preservation and the importance of conservation work, as well as to develop Thai human resources in conservation work. This project is a successful example of cooperation in preserving cultural heritage in Thailand and strengthening US-Thailand relations. The important outcome of the project is the restoration of Wat Chaiyawattanaram to its original state before the flood. Increasing awareness and participation of communities in preserving cultural heritage, as well as promoting conservation tourism in the area of Wat Chaiwattanaram.
Decha Unkhao, “Daytime News Online,” reports from Ayutthaya.
