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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is delighted to announce that Bangkok’s renowned Wat Arun temple and Chiang Mai’s enchanting Yi Peng lantern festival have been honored as “World Night View Heritage” sites. Representatives from Wat Arun and Chiang Mai Province received these prestigious certificates during the World Heritage of Night View Certification Ceremony. This significant event was a highlight of the “Japan Night View Tourism Summit 2024,” held in Bangkok last week.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said “We would like to express our thanks to the YAKEI Convention and Visitors Bureau for these honours. Wat Arun and Yi Peng Festival are two of Thailand’s iconic historical and cultural heritages that have been welcoming thousands of visitors every year. These recognitions will surely shine a spotlight on their amazing night view charms and inspire more visits by tourists from around the world.”

Bangkok’s iconic Wat Arun, situated along the Chao Phraya River, stands as one of Thailand’s premier tourist destinations. Its central pagoda, adorned with porcelain that sparkles in the sunlight, is illuminated nightly from sunset to sunrise (18:00-06:00). This internationally recognized landmark, featured in several Hollywood films, also serves as a symbol of Thai tourism, proudly displayed on the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) logo.

Yi Peng, a historic Lanna cultural tradition unique to northern Thailand, is celebrated as part of the nationwide Loi Krathong Festival on the full moon of the 12th lunar month. Chiang Mai hosts the most prominent Yi Peng celebration, where vibrant lanterns adorn homes and temples, and sky lanterns, or ‘khom loi,’ are released. Locals, dressed in traditional Lanna attire, participate in street parades and festivities. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on responsible celebration, with guidelines established for the timing and location of sky lantern releases.

Wat Arun and Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng Festival have been honored as World Night View Heritage sites, joining ten other prestigious locations, including Ayutthaya’s renowned historic ruins.

Mr. Motoo Marumaru, President of YAKEI Convention & Visitors Bureau, said “The World Night View Heritage certification was created to recognise and honour places and events around the world that offer scenic nighttime landscapes, and which are used to help promote tourism. The Committee has set ten criteria for the certification, for which a site must prove three or more of these criteria to be certified.”

Thailand has been selected as the host country for the “Japan Night View Tourism Summit 2024,” marking the first time in seven years that this prestigious event has been held outside of Japan. The summit welcomed delegates from 50 organizations and local governments across Japan, showcasing a significant international collaboration in the tourism industry.