Wat Chaiwatthanaram is of paramount cultural value to Thailand’s population, and attracts thousands of tourists to the region every year. The temple is an outstanding example of a structure designed in the Khmer style, and as such, its preservation exists within a larger cultural dialogue concerning the value of such sites across Southeast Asia.
The temple’s location within the historic city of Ayutthaya, seat of the Siamese kingdom at the height of its power and influence, makes it one of Thailand’s most significant historic monuments. In light of the region’s recent environmental challenges, saving Wat Chaiwatthanaram requires immediate action to stabilize its fundamental structural integrity.