The Prime Minister followed up on the progress of the restoration of the “1,300-year-old Reclining Buddha”, the oldest in Thailand, after it was damaged by the floods in 2021. It is expected that the restoration will take 240 days to complete.
Mr. Sathit Taveesin, Prime Minister, followed up on the project to improve the landscape and the building enshrining the reclining Buddha of Mueang Sema, an ancient site of Mueang Sema, at Wat Thammachakra Sema Ram or Wat Phra Non Khlong Khwang, which is 1,300 years old, Tambon Sema, Amphoe Sung Noen, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
Mr. Noppanombutr Chanthachoti, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, reported the problem that the reclining Buddha is the oldest reclining Buddha in Thailand, dating back to the Dvaravati period. In 2021, there was a major flood, and when the water receded, moisture was found in the reclining Buddha, causing the sandstone reclining Buddha to rot and become damaged. A study found that Nakhon Ratchasima Province has salty soil, which h
as damaged the reclining Buddha and may be beyond repair.
The Fine Arts Department has a solution: insert steel and raise the base of the reclining Buddha. What follows is to make the roof of the reclining Buddha higher as well. They believe that this restoration will bring merit to the people and the government, which will help the oldest Buddha in Thailand. This is in line with the government’s soft power policy and tourism promotion. Nakhon Ratchasima Province intends to connect tourism plans with other areas, starting at the reclining Buddha.
The Prime Minister then visited the Reclining Buddha and paid homage before talking to Phra Khru Thammachak Sema Rak, the abbot of Wat Phra Phuttha Saiyas, Wat Thammachak Sema Ram. The abbot stated that it was a blessing for the Prime Minister to visit the temple. The Prime Minister then asked the Director-General of the Fine Arts Department how long the restoration would take. The Director-General estimated that it would take about 240 days, which would include al
l scientific processes. The abbot then gave the Prime Minister a photograph of the Reclining Buddha from 30 years ago as a souvenir.
After that, the Prime Minister took a group photo, observed the weaving, visited the community’s products, and greeted the people who came to welcome him. The origin of the photo, hug, and shake hands with the Prime Minister
Source: Thai News Agency
