Wat Phra That Phanom
Phra That Phanom is a sacred stupa near the Mekong in Nakhon Phanom. It holds relics revered by local Buddhists. The tower seen today has an old core and new work built after it fell in 1975.
An ancient core and a living tradition
Thailand's UNESCO proposal describes an early square brick tower. Its art shows links to Cham and old Khmer styles. A study dates the inner room at ground level to about the 7th or 8th century. People on both sides of the Mekong then added to the stupa and cared for it.
The Urankathat Chronicle tells a sacred story that puts the site's start soon after the Buddha's death. This is a part of local faith. The much later date for the inner room comes from the study of the site itself.
The collapse and rebuilding
The stupa fell in August 1975 after long rain. Workers found a bronze box with gold cases and relics in the ruins. From 1975 to 1979, teams built it again. They reused old parts where they could and made the base stronger. Local donors, skilled workers, state bodies and monks all took part.
Thailand listed Phra That Phanom as an ancient monument in 1935. It is still a place of worship. Give space to people who come to pray.
What the heritage listing means
Phra That Phanom is on Thailand's UNESCO tentative list. This means the country has put it forward for study. The site is not yet on the World Heritage List.