The Fine Arts Department is to table to the government a
three-year restoration project for Wat Arun Ratchawararam, or the Temple of
Dawn, valued at 100 million baht.
The historic temple located on Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya
River was built in the Ayutthaya period and is now in need of urgent repair,
particularly its main pagoda, parts of which are covered in mould, an
equestrian statue and ancient porcelain artefacts.
"Although the
structure of the stupa looks strong, it needs a serious check," said the
temple's assistant abbot Phrakhru Arun Thammanuwat. The last time the temple
received a major restoration was about 50 years ago. The Fine Arts Department
sent a team to survey the area in the wake of last year's flooding and it found
that the ground around the temple was partly damaged.
If the funding is
approved in time, restoration work could start next year.
The public can join in
the restoration by making donations, for which the Culture Ministry has opened
an account with Krung Thai Bank _ 081-0-09603-6 _ to which they can send money
directly. The Fine Arts Department is to table to the government a
three-year restoration project for Wat Arun Ratchawararam, or the Temple of
Dawn, valued at 100 million baht.
The historic temple located on Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya
River was built in the Ayutthaya period and is now in need of urgent repair,
particularly its main pagoda, parts of which are covered in mould, an
equestrian statue and ancient porcelain artefacts.
"Although the
structure of the stupa looks strong, it needs a serious check," said the
temple's assistant abbot Phrakhru Arun Thammanuwat. The last time the temple
received a major restoration was about 50 years ago. The Fine Arts Department
sent a team to survey the area in the wake of last year's flooding and it found
that the ground around the temple was partly damaged.
If the funding is
approved in time, restoration work could start next year.
The public can join in
the restoration by making donations, for which the Culture Ministry has opened
an account with Krung Thai Bank _ 081-0-09603-6 _ to which they can send money
directly.
Poom K. 5517771