Fine Arts Office Seeks Removal of Unauthorized Statues at Ancient Temple
Thailand's Fine Arts Office is seeking removal of unauthorized statues and structures installed at Sarakampaeng Yai temple sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima, which it says were built without proper permission and compromise the ancient site's
The Fine Arts Office Region 10 in Nakhon Ratchasima has stated that structures built within the Sarakampaeng Yai sanctuary grounds were constructed by Wat Sarakampaeng Yai without obtaining written permission from the Director-General of the Fine Arts Department. The temple claims the work was carried out outside the officially registered archaeological boundary, which covers approximately 6 rai 3 ngan. Tourists frequently lodge complaints with the Fine Arts Office because they are unaware of the sanctuary boundary limits. Staff from the office have visited the site multiple times to request cooperation from the temple abbot, but the temple argues that since the sanctuary lies within temple grounds, the Fine Arts Department has no authority to order removal of installations or structures within Wat Sarakampaeng Yai.
A sculpture installed on the southwestern side of the sanctuary for tourist photography was deemed incompatible with the archaeological context. The Fine Arts Office Region 10 inspected the site on May 28, 2025, and requested a meeting with the abbot to coordinate removal of the installations and restoration of the sanctuary to its original condition. A letter was sent to the abbot on June 4, 2025. To date, the temple has not complied with the removal request, and images of the unsightly installations continue to circulate online. The Fine Arts Office Region 10 plans to send another formal letter to Wat Sarakampaeng Yai requesting the removal of the problematic installations and structures that have damaged the sanctuary's landscape.
