Thailand named 5th best in the world for cultural heritage influence
From its exotic wildlife to crumbling temples and beyond, Thailand has so much in the way of cultural heritage that it’s no wonder the Southeast Asian nation ranked 5th in CEOWorld magazine’s 2021 list of best countries for cultural heritage influence, behind only Italy (1st), Greece (2nd), Spain (3rd), and India (4th). If you’re itching to visit (or explore, for expats) the Kingdom, this Pacific Prime Thailand article gives you 5 must-see UNESCO cultural heritage sites to add to your bucket list!
The selection criteria and methodology
Before we get to the fun part, let’s unpack the criteria for selection and the methodology. To determine which country is best for cultural heritage influence, researchers at CEOWorld magazine looked at the following key categories: architecture, artistic legacy, fashion, food, music, literature, history, cultural attractions, and cultural accessibility. Each category (along with any sub-categories) were weighted equally to arrive at an overall score between 1 to 100. As it ranked 5th, Thailand received an overall score of 93.67.
5 must-see UNESCO sites to add to your bucket list in Thailand
As CEOWorld magazine put it:
“There are myriad places across the country that possess the rich earthiness of village life, influences of local traditions, and remnants of a splendid culture. From Sukhothai, Ayutthaya to Ban Chiang [Udon Thani], visitors flock to these places to appreciate the ancient history of Thai culture.”
So if you didn’t already have enough reasons to visit or explore Thailand, here are five must-see UNESCO cultural heritage sites that will blow your mind away and that you should add to your bucket list.
1. Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex
Located over 200 km northeast of Bangkok, Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex is home to a number of flora, mammal, bird, reptile, and amphibian species – many of which are under threat, including the critically endangered Siamese Crocodile, and endangered species of elephant, tiger, leopard, and banteng. You’ll be able to visit 5 protected areas, with Khao Yai national park being the most popular and busy. For something quieter, head to Pang Sida national park.
2. Ayutthaya, the ancient city
Ayutthaya was the Siamese capital in 1350 and had an important role to play when it came to international trade. But the city was destroyed by Burma (Myanmar) in 1767, which drove out the local residents. While the city was abandoned due to the destruction, there are parts of the city that still remain and serve as a reminder of its historical past. Just under two hours by train from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is often regarded as one of the most beautiful historic cities in Thailand and has a number of old temples and stone Buddhas to admire.
3. Ban Chiang archaeological site
As one of the most significant archaeological sites in Thailand (and even Southeast Asia), Ban Chiang was inaugurated into the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1992. The site is situated in Udon Thani province, in the northeastern part of the country, and was discovered in 1966. Human activity at the site dates back 3,500 years ago and items found include pottery and bronze tools, which suggests that some of the region’s earliest farmers settled in the area. If you want to connect with the prehistoric way of life, you should make a trip to Ban Chiang.
4. Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries are among the most untouched areas in the country. They have been working sanctuaries since the 1970s and were given UNESCO status in 1991. Located by the Burmese border, you can expect to see sceneries made up of peaks, waterfalls, and lush forests. In addition, there are hundreds of mammals, birds, reptiles, and freshwater fish that offer extra charm, including tigers and elephants that roam freely. That said, there are limits to where visitors can set foot in this protected area.
5. Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns
Dating back to the 13th and 14th century, Sukhothai was the first Siamese capital. It is one of the most captivating historical sites in Thailand, which was ahead of its time in terms of art, architecture, and urban infrastructure. The city’s architecture – often known as “Sukhothai style” – can be found throughout the country in the form of tall, pointed temples and buildings. You can combine a trip to Sukhotai with the nearby towns of Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet, which were built closely and work together in harmony.
Travel safely with a health insurance plan from Pacific Prime Thailand
If you’re planning to visit any of the aforementioned places, or indeed anywhere else in the country, it’s worth getting insured first. This enables you to travel and explore without needing to worry about having to foot expensive medical bills, should the need arise. As a global health insurance brokerage, Pacific Prime Thailand has over two decades of experience helping travelers, foreigners, and expats secure the right health insurance plans for their needs and budget.
Whether you’re looking for travel health insurance, expat health insurance, or any other type of health insurance in Thailand, you’re more than welcome to reach out to our team of knowledgeable, friendly, and multilingual advisors! Rest assured, you’ll get 100% impartial advice, a tailored plan comparison, and a free quote, as well as lots of support and assistance throughout your insurance journey.
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With over 5 years of experience in the field, Suphanida spends the majority of her day synthesizing complex pieces of insurance-related information and translating this into easy-to-understand, engaging, and effective content across a variety of media such as articles, infographics, whitepapers, videos, and more.
Suphanida is also responsible for planning and publishing three whitepapers released annually by Pacific Prime: The State of Health Insurance Report, The Cost of Health Insurance Report, and The Global Employee Benefits Trends Report. Additionally, she handles the LinkedIn profiles of Pacific Prime’s Founder and CEO, as well as Global HR Lead.
Suphanida’s strengths lie in her strong research and analytical skills, which she has gained from her BA in Politics from the University of Warwick and Erasmus Mundus Joint MA in Journalism from Aarhus University and City, University of London.
Being of Thai-Indian origin and having lived, studied, and worked in Thailand, the UK, and Denmark, Suphanida also has a unique, multicultural perspective that helps her understand the struggles of expats and globetrotters.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling to new places and immersing herself in different cultures.
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