Ancient Siam

Ancient City

The Ancient City
Name
Other names Mueang Boran (Thai: เมืองโบราณ)
Proper name ancient siam
Geography
Coordinates 13°32′21.498″N 100°37′22.515″E / 13.53930500°N 100.62292083°E / 13.53930500; 100.62292083
Country Thailand
State/province Samut Prakan
Locale Bangpoo
History and governance
Date established 11 February 1972
Date built 1963
Creator Lek and Praphai Viriyahphant

Ancient Siam (also known as Ancient City, Thai: เมืองโบราณ, Mueang Boran) is a park constructed under the patronage of Lek Viriyaphant and spreading over 200 acres (0.81 km2) in the shape of Thailand.

The founder's original idea was to create a golf course with miniatures of Thailand's historically significant structures spread around the course. During his research he found most structures severely damaged and decided instead to create new miniatures, to save the original structures when possible, or to re-create them full size or scaled down.

Ancient Siam is dubbed as the world's largest outdoor museum. Close to the Crocodile Farm in Samut Prakan province, the 320-hectare 'city' features 116 structures of Thailand's famous monuments and architectural attractions. The grounds of Ancient Siam correspond roughly to the shape of the Kingdom, with the monuments lying at their correct places geographically. Some of the buildings are life-size replicas of existing or former sites, while others are scaled down.

The replicas were constructed with the assistance of experts from the National Museum to ensure historical accuracy. Outstanding works include the former Grand Palace of Ayutthaya (destroyed in the Burmese invasion of 1767), Phimai Sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima, and Wat Khao Phra Viharn on the Cambodian border.

History

Lek Viriyaphant has been interested in art since his childhood, which inspired him to establish the Ancient City. Initially, he intended to build a Thai map-shaped golf course where miniatures of important national ancient sites were placed, which aimed to serve tourism and education purposes only.

Lek started doing research on the establishment of the Ancient City. He found that many ancient sites had been left in decay. Thus, he changed the concept of the Ancient City from being a tourism attraction and relaxation to an open-air museum for education purpose to benefit newer generations who would be proud of their national heritage.

Lek continually created artwork in the Ancient City as well as the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya and the Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan until the end of his life on November 17, 2000.

Recent events

In BE 2549 [2006 CE], America's Next Top Model, Season 6, the reality show from the US, has led the contestants to the finals by using the Pavilion of the Saint as a runway. It was a model platform that is the largest in the show's history. In the area, Sanphet castle model was the place to decide the winner.

On September 29, BE 2552 [2009 CE], a total of 500 people of People's Alliance for Democracy protested at a model of the Preah Vihear Temple in the Ancient City. They claimed that the temple belongs to Thailand although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia in 1962.

Architecture by timeline

To collect cultural and art work of Thailand to be a learning source, the Ancient City emphasizes the distinguished and unique pieces of art from different periods, the representatives of folk cultural cultivation. Some periods overlap as the rise of one community could take place without the decline of the existing one. Each community developed its civilization in similar time frames, but peaks were different depending on who was the strongest and most flourishing. The most outstanding at the period could manifest its superior prosperity before others, yet as the leading kingdom began to decline, the rising one would replace the former at once with its own manifestation. The periods accumulated at the park are arranged in order of their distinct revelation.[1]

In the park

Map of the ancient city

List of the constructions

Replica from OriginalReconstructed OriginalCreative Design
The Royal StandA Monk's ResidenceKhun Chang Khun Phaen Garden
Phra That Chom Kitti, Chiang RaiThe Hall of Wat Nimit, TratDvaravati Wihan
The Fruit Shape Tower (Prang Mafuang), Chai NatThe ShrinesThe Information Pavilion
The Wihan at Wat Phumin, NanThe Thai Hamlet from the Central PlainsThe Garden of Sacred Stupa
The City Wall and GateThe Shrine housing the City PillarI-Nao Garden
The Footprint of the Lord Buddha, SaraburiThe Old Market TownThe City Sala
Phra Chedi Sri Song Rak, LoeiThe Scripture RepositoryThe Yamaka Patiharn
Prasat Sadok Kok Thom, Sa KaeoThe Bell TowerThe Manohra Garden
The Mondop housing the standing footprints of the Lord Buddha, UttaraditThe Palace GardenThe Garden of Phra Aphaimani, Rayong
The Ancient Theatrical PavilionThe Floating MarketThe Courage of the people of Bang Rachan
Prang Sam Yod, Lop BuriThe Anthropological MuseumThe Krai Thong Garden
The Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton, Sing BuriThe Wihan at Wat Phrao, TakSala of Ten Reincarnations
Phra That Bang Phuan, Nong KhaiThe Meditation RetreatSumeru Mountain
The Stupa of Phra Maha That, Nakhon Si ThammaratThe Thai-Songdam VillageThe Garden Of The Gods
The Old Sea Wall at ChachoengsaoWat Chong Kham, LampangThe Reclining Buddha
The Pallava Group of Images, Phaug-NgaThe Wihan at Sa-Moeng, Chiang MaiSala of 80 Yogi
The Garden of Pha Daeng-Nang Ai (Rocket Festival characters)The Wihan of Wat Chiang Khong, Chiang RaiMondop of Bodhisattva Avalokitesavara (Kuan-Yin)
The Red Block Fort, ChanthaburiThe Water HallBodhisattva Avalokitesavara (Kuan-Yin) performing a miracle
The Stupa of Phra Maha That, Chaiya, Surat ThaniThe Northern Thai VillageThe Buddha Image of Dvaravati Period
The Gateway of Wat Pho Prathap Chang, Phichit The Lotus-Bud Flower
Phra That Narai Cheng Weng, Sakon Nakhon Sala of Ramayana
The Lan Chang styled Scripture Repository and Wihan Phra That Mondop
The Tiger King's Palace, Phetchaburi The garden of the Prince of the Golden Conch
The Prang of Wat Chulamanee, Phitsanulok The Botanical Garden of Thai Literature
Phra That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom The Great Battle of Yuthahathi
The Giant Swing and Brahmin Temple Pavilion of the Enlightened
The Sukhothai Wihan Monument of Krom Phra Ratchawang Boworn Maha Surasinghanat
Prasat Phra Wihan (Preah Vihear), Preah Vihear province, Cambodia An Image of Hindu Deity with a Mitred Crown
The Audience Hall of Thon Buri The Rainbow Bridge
The Dvaravati House Phra Lo's Garden, Phrae
The Bench of Public Appeals, Sukhothai Pavilion of Recallection
Prasat Hin Nong Ku, Roi Et The Buddha image being protected by the seven headed Naga
Phra That Ya Khu, Kalasin Thai Junk
The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That, Sukhothai Sala 24 Katanyu (Pavilion of the Icons of Gratitude)
The Prang at Si Thep, Phetchabun Sala Kong Beng (Zhuge Liangs Pavilion)
Ku Khu Maha That, Maha Sarakham Mondop Phra Si Thit
Khun Phaen House The Ramayana Garden
Noen Prasat, Sukhothai The Octagonal Sala
The Main Chedi of Wat Maha That, Sukhothai The Churning of the Ocean
Three Pagoda Pass, Kanchanaburi The Phra Kaew Pavilion
Dusit Maha Prasat Palace (The Grand Palace)  
Ho Kham, Lampang  
Rattanakosin Dwelling  
The Chedi of Cham Thewi, Lamphun  
The Wihan at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, Ayutthaya  
The Stupa of Wat Phra That Sam Muen, Chaiyaphum  
Sanphet Prasat Palace, Ayutthaya  
Chedi Chet Yod, The Seven Spired Pagoda, Chiang Mai  
The Phanom Rung Sanctuary, Buri Ram  
The Chom Thong Palace Hall, Ayutthaya  
The Kam Yaad Palace Hall, Ang Thong  
Prasat Sikhoraphum, Surin  
The Phimai Sanctuary, Nakhon Ratchasima  

References

  1. ↑ "HISTORICAL TIMELINE".
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Coordinates: 13°32′45″N 100°37′41″E / 13.54583°N 100.62806°E / 13.54583; 100.62806

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