The Fine Arts Department yesterday expressed concern that ancient stucco wall decorations and murals at the Lai Temple in heavily inundated Lop Buri will fade if they are submerged in flood water for too long.

"I am waiting to hear detailed reports from local officials," said the department's director general, Soamsuda Leeyawanich. "I've been told the flooding has caused serious damage to many historical sites, especially those in Lop Buri."

Lop Buri is among the provinces that have been hit hardest by the floods.

Stucco artworks at the Lai Temple date back to the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767), said Soamsuda, who also lamented damage done to the Phra That Muen Kruen in Lop Buri.

"We will urgently repair the structure," she said.

She said her department did not have sufficient funds to construct permanent embankments to protect historical sites.

"We can only form sandbags and try to pump flood water out for now, then restore the structures later," she said.