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via Bangkok Post, 4 March 2019 with links to additional stories below. Over the last few days there has been an increasing outcry over the proposal by ECO Orient Resources to drill near the Khao Khlang Nok stupa, part of the Si Thep Historical Park in Petchabun Province. Last Friday, the Fine Arts Department released a statement denouncing the plans. ECO Orient Resources has not yet dropped the project, while the government is expected to start the process for World Heritage Nomination of the site later this week.
Visan Kositanont, chairman of Phetchabun’s Provincial Cultural Council told the hearing the exploration bid should be scrapped.
“Oil can be obtained elsewhere but ancient heritage items with high value are not easy to find,” he said.
Si Thep Historical Park is an ancient city that shows evidence of the Thawarawadi ancient civilisation.
“The site is a gem of the heritage of our nation and the whole area should be protected as there are ongoing archaeological excavations to find other ancient ruins under the ground,” he said.
Source: Villagers rally to save ancient ruins | Bangkok Post, 4 March 2019
See also:
- วิพากษ์หนัก ตั้งแท่นขุดน้ำมันห่างมหาสถูปเมืองศรีเทพแค่ 100 ม. ห่วงกระทบส่งมรดกโลก เอกชนยันลุยต่อ | Matichon, 26 Feb 2019
- บ่อน้ำมันที่เมืองโบราณศรีเทพ หายนะที่ไม่ใช่แค่เรื่องการยื่นทะเบียนมรดกทางวัฒนธรรม | Thai Publica, 28 Feb 2019
- Park’s special status ‘at risk’ over drilling hole | The Nation, 01 Mar 2019
- Ancient Thai Heritage Site Threatened by Oil Drilling | Sputnik News. 01 Mar 2019
- Si Thep park worth far more than petroleum | Bangkok Post, 02 Mar 2019
