AYUTTHAYA: The large number of people arriving in search of firsthand knowledge of a scene in a popular TV series is damaging an ancient local temple, and historical park officials are seeking their cooperation.
Wat Chai Wattanaram in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district has seen a surge in Thai visitors thanks to the popularity of the TV series "Buppaesannivas" (Love Destiny), a historical fantasy.
Large numbers of people are making the trip specifically to see for themselves the locations that appear in the shows. Many of them also dress in traditional Thai attire, clearly inspired by the characters.
As a consequence, wear and tear on the 388-year-old structure has accelerated, with ancient bricks and a footbridge providing access to the site showing signs of damage.
The two-decade-old wood-steel bridge links the parking lot and the temple compound. It withstood a severe flood in 2011, but its stairs and flooring are being worn down with about 10,000 visitors now using it each day on weekends, said Sukanya Baonerd, director of the Ayutthaya Historical Park.
The traffic had doubled on weekends and accelerated the damage, she said.
Her staff has finished repairing the bridge and added more support pillars in the middle section.
Visitors were also damaging ancient bricks in the temple ruins as they clambered to find the best places for photographs, often standing on and wearing away the edges, Ms Sukanya said.
"Ancient bricks are fragile and flake off off. Workers will repair them as soon as possible," she said.
She asked visitors to follow the signs and refrain from walking outside the marked paths.
Wat Chai Wattanaram is losing ancient bricks on the edge of its structure due to excessive visits. (Photo by Sunthorn Pongpao)