Bangkok’s iconic temple, Wat Arun, also known as Temple of Dawn and Chiang Mai’s magical lantern festival, Yi Peng, have been recognised as “World Night View Heritage” sites, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The announcement was made at the World Heritage of Night View Certification Ceremony, as part of the “Japan Night View Tourism Summit 2024,” held last week in Bangkok.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said at the event that Wat Arun and the Yi Peng Festival are two of Thailand’s iconic historical and cultural heritage sites, which attract thousands of visitors each year.
“These recognitions will surely shine a spotlight on their amazing night view charms and inspire more visits by tourists from around the world,” she said.
Wat Arun is one of Thailand’s most-visited tourist attractions, with its main pagoda decorated with porcelain that glimmers in the sunlight.
It is illuminated nightly, from sunset to sunrise (6pm to 6am), and has been featured in several Hollywood movies.
It is a symbol of the Thai tourism industry and is even featured on the TAT logo.
Meanwhile, Yi Peng is an ancient Lanna cultural tradition, unique to northern Thailand, which is incorporated into the annual Loi Krathong Festival, celebrated nationwide on the full moon of the 12th lunar month.
The largest and most well-known Yi Peng event takes place in Chiang Mai, where colourful lanterns are hung outside homes and temples and sky lanterns, or ‘khom loi’, are released.
These days, with increasing awareness of more responsible celebrations, guidelines have been set for the times and locations for when and where sky lanterns can be released, according to the TAT website.
Thailand has been chosen as the host country for the “Japan Night View Tourism Summit 2024,” marking the first time in seven years that the event has been held outside Japan.
