Asia
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Thailand
Thai World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Thailand map · historical landmarks in Thailand
Thailand has 9 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 6 cultural and 3 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1991 and 2024. This map of UNESCO sites in Thailand covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Thai World Heritage Sites range from Ayutthaya onwards; Ayutthaya was the country's first inscription, added in 1991; Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period is the most recent, listed in 2024; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations, lost cities and sacred places.
Start with Ayutthaya, Ban Chiang Archaeological Site and Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 9
- Cultural
- 6
- Natural
- 3
- First inscribed
- 1991
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- DMKBangkok2 sites
- UTHUdon Thani1 site
- BBMBattambang1 site
- PHSPhitsanulok1 site
- HHQHua Hin1 site
- VTEVientiane1 site
Keep exploring
All 9 sites in Thailand
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Thailand
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| AyutthayaRuined Siamese capital of brick stupas. | 1991 | Cultural | Ruined Siamese capital of brick stupas. |
| Ban Chiang Archaeological SiteBan Chiang is considered the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in South-East Asia. | 1992 | Cultural | Ban Chiang is considered the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in South-East Asia. |
| Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest ComplexThe Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex spans 230 km between Ta Phraya National Park on the Cambodian border in the… | 2005 | Natural | The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex spans 230 km between Ta Phraya National Park on the Cambodian border in the east, and Khao Yai National… |
| Historic City of AyutthayaFounded c. 1350, Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. | 1991 | Cultural | Founded c. 1350, Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. It was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century. |
| Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic TownsSukhothai was the capital of the first Kingdom of Siam in the 13th and 14th centuries. | 1991 | Cultural | Sukhothai was the capital of the first Kingdom of Siam in the 13th and 14th centuries. |
| Kaeng Krachan Forest ComplexThe site is located along the Thailand side of the Tenasserim mountain range, part of a north-south granite and… | 2021 | Natural | The site is located along the Thailand side of the Tenasserim mountain range, part of a north-south granite and limestone mountain ridge running down… |
| Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati periodThe property illustrates the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period (7th-11th centuries CE). | 2024 | Cultural | The property illustrates the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period (7th-11th centuries CE). |
| The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati MonumentsThis is a serial property of three component parts: a distinctive twin-town site, featuring an Inner and Outer Town… | 2023 | Cultural | This is a serial property of three component parts: a distinctive twin-town site, featuring an Inner and Outer Town surrounded by moats; the massive… |
| Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife SanctuariesStretching over more than 600,000 ha along the Myanmar border, the sanctuaries, which are relatively intact, contain… | 1991 | Natural | Stretching over more than 600,000 ha along the Myanmar border, the sanctuaries, which are relatively intact, contain examples of almost all the… |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Thailand
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Thailand?
- Thailand has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 6 cultural and 3 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Thailand?
- Ayutthaya was inscribed in 1991. Ruined Siamese capital of brick stupas.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Thailand?
- Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period, inscribed in 2024. The property illustrates the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period (7th-11th centuries CE).
- Which sites in Thailand are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 3 of the 9 listings are natural: Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex and Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- Which UNESCO sites in Thailand are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Thailand.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Thailand?
- The 9 UNESCO-listed sites above are Thailand's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Ayutthaya (1991). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Thai World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 9 Thai UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.