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Thailand's Ministry of Culture will propose the ancient Thai city of Chiang Saen and the companion Laos city of Suvannakhomkham to be listed as joint world heritage sites.

The Trans-boundary Archaeological Urban Complex of Chiang Saen and Suvannakhomkham, some 500-600 years old, is the Mekong River gateway to absorb culture from China and India, where the precursors of today's Thailand and the Lao PDR developed their own unique cultures long ago, according to Thai Culture Minister, Teera Slukpetch.

The ministry of culture also plans to nominate four other historic sites for consideration by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) next year.

The other four heritage sites relate to the Srivichaya cultural heritage in the south, Lanna culture in the north, the culture of the central region along the Chao Phraya River and distinctive architecture of Prince Narisara Nuvativongse in the Rattanakosin Period.

The Phu Phrabat historical park in Thailand's northeastern province of Udon Thani and ancient Khmer temples in the northern provinces have been proposed as for UNESCO's so-called ‘Tentative List', he added.

Thailand will present details about the Khmer temples in making the nomination for UNESCO. (TNA)

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