The World Heritage Volunteers 2025: River × Heritage – Ayutthaya program was held from 20 to 30 August 2025 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand. Organized through the collaboration of Kasetsart University, Ayutthaya Municipality, local communities, and international volunteer networks, this initiative built upon the success of WHV Ayutthaya 2024, which received international recognition in heritage education. The 2025 program expanded under the theme “River × Heritage”, emphasizing the interconnection between cultural heritage conservation, riverine ecosystems, and community sustainability.

The program commenced with two days of intensive lectures delivered by academics and experts to provide participants with an in-depth theoretical foundation. Topics included:

• World Heritage Volunteers Initiative – Patiphol Yodsurang
• Creativity & Participatory Process – Aracha Krasae-in
• Evolving River Landscapes: Adaptation, Transformation, and Resilience – Patiphol Yodsurang
• The River as a Living Heritage: Community Participation in Conservation and Revitalization – Patiphol Yodsurang
• Integrated Riverine Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Tourism – Dolruthai Jiarakul
• World Heritage Trend: Year-Round Dynamics of World Heritage in Thailand and Southeast Asia – Supitcha Sutthanonkul (SEAMEO SPAFA)
• Intangible Heritage Along the River: Traditions, Gastronomy, and Local Knowledge – Patiphol Yodsurang
• Ayutthaya’s Hydrology and Heritage: Managing Water Systems in Historic Cities – Hatthaya Siriphattanakun (SEAMEO SPAFA)
• World Heritage: Rivers as Cultural Corridors in World Heritage-scapes – Poomipat Norapoompipat (The Excellence Centre for Integrated Research of World Heritage, Creative City and Historic Urban Landscape)

Immersive Community Engagement

Following the lectures, participants undertook a homestay at the Khlong Rang Chorakhe community. This immersive experience allowed them to engage closely with traditional riverside life, including lotus and vegetable harvesting, communal cooking, wearing traditional Thai attire, and participating in outdoor and water-based activities with villagers.

On the following day, participants visited key historical sites within Ayutthaya’s city island, gaining insights into the interrelation between urban structures, architectural heritage, and historic water systems. Subsequently, the program gradually shifted toward water-based learning. Activities included paddling along the Lopburi River to observe local riverside life, witnessing elephants bathing in the river, and paddling on the Chao Phraya River under expert supervision with Pa Pie Pai and Water Heritage Thailand.

Due to early seasonal flooding, the original plan for all participants to paddle around the city island was adapted into a guided boat tour. Nevertheless, four selected participants were permitted to paddle on the Chao Phraya River, offering a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the dynamics of the great river and its historical role in sustaining Ayutthaya.

Community-based Conservation: Wat Chaiwatthanaram Collaboration

In addition to community immersion and river-based activities, participants engaged in a two-day program at Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of Ayutthaya’s most iconic World Heritage temples, in collaboration with the World Monuments Fund (WMF). This activity provided participants with hands-on experience in heritage site management and community-based conservation practices.

Under the guidance of WMF experts and local custodians, participants learned about the ongoing conservation efforts to stabilize the temple’s historic structures against flooding and environmental threats. They also contributed to site-cleaning, documentation, and interpretive activities designed to strengthen public awareness of the temple’s cultural value. Furthermore, workshops emphasized the importance of integrating local community participation in heritage conservation, highlighting how residents, scholars, and volunteers can work together to safeguard World Heritage sites for future generations.

The collaboration with WMF at Wat Chaiwatthanaram exemplified how global institutions, local communities, and youth volunteers can form a shared platform to address conservation challenges while ensuring that cultural heritage remains a living part of community identity and sustainable development.

Environmental Action: River Cleaning Paddle Trip

A key highlight was the River Cleaning Paddle Trip on 29 August. Participants paddled kayaks and stand-up paddleboards in collaboration with Ayothaya Municipality and local communities to remove water hyacinths and waste from key canals such as Khlong Khao Mao, Khlong Sakae, and Khlong Dusit, before connecting to the Pa Sak River. This activity combined practical environmental conservation with an experiential understanding of the interconnectedness between the World Heritage City and its water systems.

Public Engagement: AUG/ART Exhibition

n 30 August, the program culminated in a public exhibition at AUG/ART: Art & Coffee, hosted at Lanvela by Morning Drip. The event featured the presentation of participants’ works and experiences, alongside a vibrant atmosphere of local crafts, coffee, and art. This open-air marketplace provided an inclusive space for dialogue between volunteers, scholars, communities, and the wider public, highlighting the importance of rivers as shared heritage.

Outcomes and Impact

The WHV2025 Ayutthaya program generated clear outcomes at multiple levels. For participants, it deepened academic and practical knowledge of river conservation and cultural landscapes, enhanced skills in creativity and participatory practice, and fostered adaptability to environmental challenges. For local communities, collaborative activities such as water hyacinth and waste removal contributed to improved water quality, while the public exhibition strengthened community pride, supported local creative economies, and raised awareness of rivers as vital heritage corridors.

Conclusion

World Heritage Volunteers 2025: River × Heritage – Ayutthaya successfully combined academic training, hands-on fieldwork, and public engagement. The program not only advanced heritage education but also built meaningful connections among youth, academics, and communities. Its lasting legacy lies in inspiring new generations to value rivers as cultural heritage and in reinforcing collaborative networks to ensure the sustainable conservation of Ayutthaya’s riverine cultural landscape into the future.