Assessing the Flood Impacts and the Cultural Properties Vulnerabilities in Ayutthaya, Thailand

Flood risk to Ayutthaya’s UNESCO World Heritage monuments is primarily determined by elevation above mean sea level and proximity to rivers or canals. A 2013 study analyzed flood-induced damage—categorized as high, medium, or low risk—and monument value (high, medium, or low) to prioritize conservation efforts. The research found that sites closer to water bodies faced the greatest vulnerability, particularly during the severe 2011 floods, which overwhelmed traditional canal-based flood defenses. By integrating environmental damage assessments with cultural significance rankings, the study highlighted critical areas for stakeholder-driven conservation planning to mitigate future risks.

Daungthima, W., & Kazunori, H. (2013). Assessing the Flood Impacts and the Cultural Properties Vulnerabilities in Ayutthaya, Thailand. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 17, 739–748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2013.02.091