More unexpected finds are unraveling in Thailand. The most severe flooding to hit Thailand in decades is causing ruin throughout the country. Over several months, the disaster has affected nearly a third of the country. Even centuries-old relics are not spared.
As the ancient city of Ayutthaya, one of Thailand’s most sacred sites, begins to dry out, experts are being given a first chance to assess damage to its temples, monasteries and other religious structures.
The water may have drained away from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, but experts fear long-term damage.
Ayutthaya was capital of a powerful state for 417 years, from the mid-14th century until the mid-18th century. Over time it was the seat of 33 kings.
At least half of the 200 waterlogged monasteries, fortresses and other monuments may be at risk.
Ironically, the location for the city was chosen precisely because of its proximity to water.
Monthira Horayangura Unakul, Culture Programme Officer, UNESCO, said, "The site for the city was selected at the confluence of three rivers, precisely for its strategic location and also to allow access to a hinterland of rice paddies which would be always well irrigated. And so because of that, the city is very much based on water, and the primarily means of transport in the old days was, of course, on the water, both on the rivers as well as canals."
The head of UNESCO’s culture unit, Tim Curtis, is worried about the long term effects of the water.
Tim Curtis, Head of Culutre Unit, UNESCO, Bangkok, said, "We have several concerns, I think, which are: the amount of water that has been, for sustained periods, on the site and under which the monuments have been submerged and the affects that will have on these monuments when it drains off."
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