Thailand | World Heritage Explorer

Thailand has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1987. With 8 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

Thailand as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: September 17, 1987

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1989-1995, 1997-2003, 2009-2013, 2019-2023

Total of Mandate Years: 20

Total of Mandates: 4

WHC Electoral Group: IV (Asia/Pacific)

World Heritage Sites in Thailand (8)

Cultural: 5 | Natural: 3 | Mixed: 0

Ban Chiang Archaeological Site · Cultural
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex · Natural
Historic City of Ayutthaya · Cultural
Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns · Cultural
Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex · Natural
Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period · Cultural
The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments · Cultural
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries · Natural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Thailand.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (7)

Phra Prang of Wat Arun Ratchawararam: The Masterpiece of Krung Rattanakosin · submitted: April 9, 2025
Songkhla and its Associated Lagoon Settlements · submitted: April 11, 2024
The Andaman Sea Nature Reserves of Thailand · submitted: December 18, 2021
Ensemble of Phanom Rung, Muang Tam and Plai Bat Sanctuaries · submitted: April 11, 2019
Phra That Phanom, its related historic buildings and associated landscape · submitted: February 2, 2017
Monuments, Sites and Cultural Landscape of Chiang Mai, Capital of Lanna · submitted: February 9, 2015
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat · submitted: August 28, 2012

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Thailand

Official Name: Kingdom of Thailand

Continent: Asia

Subregion: South-Eastern Asia

UNESCO Region: Asia and the Pacific

Capital: Bangkok

Population (2024): 71,668,011

Land Area: 510,890 km²

Currency: Thai baht (THB)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Thailand

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

Portions of this page are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset. Changes made. Original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE) is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Commission. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.