One of Thailand's most important spiritual sites, Wat Phra That Phanom, will be closed for one month starting Friday to develop and implement a plan to maintain order around and within the temple and to prevent the area from being polluted by merchants who do business on the site. temple.
The representative of the temple's executive committee, Ananchai Chaiyadej, said the dirt left behind by the traders is preventing Wat Phra That Phanom from being granted UNESCO World Heritage status.
Traders breaking temple rules and leaving rubbish around Wat Phra That Phanom not only create trouble for pilgrims, but also threaten the preservation of a heritage that will be passed on to future generations. The decision to organize the work of the merchants, taking into account the rules of the temple and maintaining order, is necessary in order for this temple to receive the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
However, not all merchants welcomed this decision and organized a protest around the temple. Some of them argue that their activities do not interfere with pilgrims, but rather create an atmosphere of trade and help attract more visitors to the temple.
This temple is located in That Phanom district in the south of Nakhon Phanom province. It attracts pilgrims from Thailand and Laos, especially during Buddhist holidays, including the annual festival that takes place in January.
