Walailak University’s School of Liberal Arts Welcomes UNESCO Bangkok Director, Strengthening World Heritage Collaboration and Advancing Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Aspiration to Become a UNESCO Creative City of Literature
On 9–10 November 2026, Assistant Professor Dr. Kamontip Klaibanmai, Acting Dean of the School of Liberal Arts, Walailak University, participated in a series of activities during the official visit of Ms. Soohyun Kim, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, and her delegation to Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration in cultural heritage conservation and creative city development.
During the visit, Assistant Professor Dr. Kamontip was interviewed by the UNESCO media team for a special feature highlighting her contributions and experiences in supporting the nomination and successful inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Officially inscribed on 25 July 2026 during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea, the temple became Thailand’s sixth cultural World Heritage Site, ninth World Heritage Site overall, and the first World Heritage Site in Southern Thailand.
On 10 November 2026, Assistant Professor Dr. Kamontip joined the official delegation in welcoming Ms. Kim during her courtesy visit to Mr. Suwat Chansuk, Deputy Governor and Acting Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, accompanied by Mr. Witthaya Khiaorot, Deputy Governor, and representatives of relevant government agencies at Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Hall.
The discussions focused on advancing Nakhon Si Thammarat’s aspiration to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Literature. Particular emphasis was placed on leveraging the province’s rich linguistic, literary, historical, and cultural heritage as a foundation for sustainable urban development. Opportunities for future collaboration and institutional support from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administration and UNESCO Bangkok were also explored.
Following the meeting, Assistant Professor Dr. Kamontip accompanied the delegation on a courtesy visit to Phra Dhammavajirakorn (Sompong Paññādīpo), Abbot of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, followed by a guided visit to the World Heritage Site. The visit highlighted the temple’s outstanding significance as Living Heritage, reflecting the enduring relationship between the sacred site, religious traditions, and the everyday lives of local communities.
On this occasion, Assistant Professor Dr. Kamontip presented Ms. Kim and her delegation with a miniature replica of the traditional Phra Bot ceremonial cloth, crafted using batik techniques by Kiree, a local creative enterprise in Kiriwong Village, Nakhon Si Thammarat. The gift symbolised the province’s distinctive cultural identity and demonstrated how traditional knowledge and local craftsmanship can be preserved and reinterpreted through contemporary creative practices.
This engagement underscores the School of Liberal Arts, Walailak University’s commitment to bridging academic expertise, local communities, government agencies, and international organisations in safeguarding, sustaining, and enhancing the value of cultural heritage. It also represents an important step towards fostering future international partnerships in research, academic services, and community-based initiatives, contributing to the long-term sustainability of Nakhon Si Thammarat’s cultural heritage and creative development.