PUBLISHED: 14 Perhaps 2025 at 03: 00
Following recommendations from international heritage experts, who called for the striking of a balance between development and the preservation of the World Heritage site, the State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) has revised the design of the Ayutthaya high-speed rail station.
Veeris Ammarapala, SRT governor, revealed that the SRT has received formal written reports from the International Council on Monuments and Sites ( ICOMOS ) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property ( ICCROM), both of which serve as advisory bodies to the World Heritage Committee.
Site inspections and reviews of the high-speed rail project’s Heritage Impact Assessment ( HIA ) were among the tasks that they completed while they were in Ayutthaya from January 19 to January 22.
The experts came to the conclusion that it is impossible to reroute the high-speed bridge line to Ayutthaya and that the station’s layout and level should be changed to make sure the structures are not visible from within the history zone.
Additionally, they suggested that the Department of Rail Transport, the Fine Arts Department, tourism regulators, and various organizations work together to address combined and direct long-term effects.
Additionally, they suggested making design adjustments to make the place more in tune with the surrounding scenery, including recommending a lower creating height, suitable scale, and appropriate architectural elements like walls and ceilings.
Additionally, they suggested landscaping initiatives, such as replacing trees that were removed while building and farming in designated public park areas, to regain physical harmony.
Mr. Veeris confirmed that the SRT has now updated the station’s layout in accordance with these recommendations.