Experts and relevant officials will meet tomorrow to draw up urgent measures to save the status of Ayutthaya's main ruins. Inspectors from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) recently warned the Fine Arts Office III that the site's surroundings should be improved or else it would lose the World-Heritage Site status it was given in 1991.

Ruins still inspire respect

Though the Burmese destroyed this ancient Thai capital in the 18th century, the ruins still remain awe-inspiring. However, late last year Unesco expressed serious concerns about the condition this historic area is in and Culture Minister Anusorn Wongwan yesterday admitted that it did indeed have some problems.

"I inspected the site last week, and have reported these problems to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej," he said. "Our ministry will coordinate with relevant authorities, including local administrative bodies, the Treasury Department and the Fine Arts Department, to tackle the problem."

Fine Arts Office III director Anek Seehamart said Ayutthaya Governor Preecha Kamonbut will hold an urgent meeting tomorrow to voice his plan for improving the 1,810-rai area.

"We will turn the old office of the provincial governor into a tourist centre. This should cost between Bt60 million and Bt70 million, and should be completed by next year," Anek said, adding that the shops and stalls around the site would be moved into this centre.

Stalls maul site

Currently, the many stalls and shops around the historic site are threatening its value.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said he had already assigned some senior government officials to immediately talk to the vendors about relocating.

"This is urgent," the minister said, adding that he would put forward the budget request at a Cabinet meeting.

During the past administration, then-culture minister Khaisri Sri-aroon had also raised concerns about the historic area, but the government did not come up with a concrete solution.

Why the status?

Some of the reasons why the Unesco conference at Carthage, Tunisia, in 1991, decided to include the Ayutthaya ruins in the World-Heritage list:

>> Ayutthaya represents a masterpiece of creative genius in not only its location, but also its city-planning scheme that capitalised on natural features and met the need to defend itself. During times of peace, the location ensured the ancient city's prosperity.

>> Ayutthaya's city plan had influenced the construction of Bangkok, which emulated all aspects of the ancient city's artistic styles and ways of life.

>> The architectural designs of Ayutthaya are unique and outstanding.