The Fine Arts Department is demanding Eco Orient Resources (Thailand) keep its oil exploration plans away from an ancient city in Phetchabun's Si Thep district as it is in the process of applying for Unesco World Heritage status for the ruins.
Though the company, owned by Hong Kong-based Eco Group, has been granted a concession for petroleum exploration and production in an area called "STN-2", officials recently found out that it is located close to the Khao Khlang Nok archaeological site, which is part of the ancient city of Si Thep.
In a press release issued yesterday, department chief Anandha Chuchoti said he learned of the issue when the firm held its first public consultation on its plans as is required by law in order to gather people's views to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
The EIA, which details ways to mitigate harm to the environment, is mandatory for developers involved in megaprojects.
If oil exploration is conducted in the current spot, "not only will the oil-exploring machine and activity pose a threat to the structure of the ancient stupa Khao Khlang Nok, but it will also affect our move to have Si Thep listed as a city with UN World Heritage status," Mr Anandha said.
The city is believed to date back about 1,700 years.
Among the remaining structures built by the old civilisation is a stupa which archaeologists believe is the largest in the country.
It was built in the thawarawadi architectural style, which is a mix of Indian and Khmer.
"The department will write a letter to officially inform the company and ask them to relocate its exploration site," Mr Anandha said.
Eco Group was granted the exploration concession for two petroleum blocks in Phetchabun in 2003.
