Authors:Kanyapak Toaheng Pages: 37 - 66 Abstract: This article aims to study burial in Dvaravati culture by analyzing burial practices, as well as comparing it with the prehistoric period to show the common features and differences in burial practice. The relationship between burial practice and attributes of burial were sex, age at death, artefacts found with burials, and head orientation. The study found that during the Dvaravati period, the burial could be divided into 2 mortuary phases; the first mortuary phase (6th-9th century) and the second mortuary phase (10th-11st century). In both phases, various burial poses were found similar to the prehistoric period. The most common burial practice is extended, head oriented to the west, and no artefacts are found with burials, a distinctive feature in Dvaravati culture. It was also found that sub-attributes of those burials were independent from burial patterns. In the Dvaravati period, the burial traditions such as sprinkling red ochre or placing the body on sherd sheets were not found like in the prehistoric period, but there were burials found alongside Buddhist monuments in some archaeological sites. However, burials were still found until the late Dvaravati period, along with cremation. PubDate: 2022-12-27 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Dr. Wanwisa Dharmananda Pages: 67 - 96 Abstract: This paper reports findings of the study on the early occupation of modern day Pattani. The study presumed the early periods of settlement correspond to archaeological data from excavation at Tanyonglulo. Two periods of time came up for discussion in terms of land use in two main areas of Pattani: the Ancient Town of Yarang and Krue Se Village. The Ancient Town of Yarang was geographically located inland, in what is regarded as the upper delta plain of the Pattani River. According to ancient historical texts and archaeological evidence, Yarang was likely a polity of the Kingdom of Langkasuka. Available evidence suggests that the golden age of Yarang was between the 6th and 18th centuries CE. The Krue Se Village is located on the lower delta plain of the Pattani River. Krue Se was the center where the Pattanian lived and spent their daily lives. Situated near the sea, Krue Se became a port and an international trading hub in the Ayutthaya period. The community was predominantly ruled by the Sri Wangsa Dynasty. None of previous studies gave a report on the existence of the community prior to the rule of the Sri Wangsa dynasty. The documentary analysis and archaeological discoveries about the sites revealed that Krue Se Village, or the ancient Pattani, was a community and people actively engaged in trading with foreigners before the rule of Sri Wangsa dynasty. A retrospective study of the history of Krue Se Village should acknowledge that its existence is thought to be contemporary with the ancient town of Yarang, whose habitation area and the port itself was presumably at Bra-O at least until the 12th century. PubDate: 2022-12-27 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Dr. Chaipong Samnieng Pages: 97 - 122 Abstract: The Lanna Kingdom had commercial relations with northern states such as Shan, Chiang Tung/ Kengtung, Sipsongpanna/Xishuangbanna, and Luang Prabang through long-distance trade routes between Sipsongpanna in China and Mawlamyine in Burma. This kind of trade had emerged before the birth of the nation-state and created a merchant culture dependent on risk taking. Factors like commodities, trading passages, and actors involved were highly unpredictable, so it was challenging for the merchants to calculate the cost/benefit equation for each trading trip. Traders, therefore, adopted a risk mitigation strategy in order to ensure the risks that may occur were avoided or minimized. For example, in attempting to secure their business, traders married women living on the trading routes in order to install them as guardians of their business. They also built up the look kham system (adopting boys) with a similar task and created networks to share information among the merchant society, thus reducing trading risks. In addition, after the arrival of the nation-state, the maritime trade routes gradually replaced former continental trade. This disruption took Lanna’s commerce into a new era, where the Chinese Yunnanese’s trading power finally declined. PubDate: 2022-12-27 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Apiradee Techasiriwan Pages: 123 - 150 Abstract: This article aims to study eleven inscriptions that have been kept in Lam Chang monastery, Si Phum Subdistrict, Muang District, Chiang Mai Province, which consists of three bronze Buddha statues, a bronze hermit statue, a lime Buddha statue, and six wooden Buddha statues. The objective is to present the inscriptions of Wat Lam Chang, which are important to the local history but have not been published yet. The inscriptions are transliterated and translated from ancient Lan Na scripts into present Thai characters and language to get more information on the history of the Lam Chang community and Chiang Mai City and examined together with secondary sources. The research found that all the inscriptions in Wat Lam Chang are sacred statues. They are made from the late 20th to 25th Buddhist centuries, mostly inscribed in Dham Lan Na and Fak Kham scripts. However, one of the inscriptions created in the 25th Buddhist century appears to have used Thai characters together with the Dham Lan Na script in the same object. The inscriptions of Wat Lam Chang pass on historical information in various fields that indicate the prosperity of the Lan Na Kingdom in the past. Lan Na scripts and language and the Buddhist arts are transmitted from the statues, moreover, they provide information on the name of monasteries, the name of the person, the scale of the object's weight, beliefs about donating of Buddha statues including the tradition that binds the Lam Chang community to the inscriptions. PubDate: 2022-12-27 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Dr. Pinai Sirikiatikul, Siridate Wangkran Pages: 151 - 190 Abstract: This paper draws from my research entitled A Visual Reconstruction of Phualkon’s Residence, examining its transformation between 1683, when he moved to live in this house, and 1688, when he was executed. The main events of this period were Phaulkon’s rise to high office at the Court of King Narai, the arrival of the French Embassy to Narai’s court, and the 1688 revolution led by Phetracha. The question is how far the physical ruins of Phaulkon’s residence and its development can reflect the last episode of Phualkon’s life. The research draws upon travellers' memoirs, excavation reports, and first-hand analysis by architectural measurement and visual inspection of the ruins. The findings suggest that the development of the house can be divided into three phases. The first phase is pre-1683, when the house belonged to a Persian merchant in the service of King Narai before Phaulkon moved to the house. The second phase spans 1683 to 1685, which concerns the conversion and extension of the house both for Phaulkon's use and for receiving the 1st French Embassy to Siam headed by Chevalier de Chaumont. The third phase between 1685 and 1688 involved the 2nd French Embassy to Siam led by La Loubère in 1687 until the 1688 revolution. The conclusion drawn is that the last five years of the house’s development reflects Phaulkon’s roles as King Narai’s closest counsellor and as the leader of foreign communities in Siam. The findings show that the architecture in Phaulkon’s residence consisted of a variety of artistic and architectural styles of different origins, ranging from Moorish, King Narai’s style, to Gothic, including Japanese painting and the use of precious stones from India. The hybridized characteristics are another important element that reflects the multiculturism of Ayutthaya society during the reign of King Narai. PubDate: 2022-12-27 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Phonphayuha Chaiyarot Pages: 191 - 230 Abstract: This article aims to provide an Archaeometallurgical, Archaeological, and Historical study of Ban Na Tum Archaeological Site, which was Maung Long’s iron smelting site from 18th – 20th century. The objective of the article is to reconstruct the ancient iron smelting process (Chaîne opératoire of iron ingot production) by using archaeometallurgical data, archaeological evidence, and historical record. The result demonstrates that Ban Na Tum’s smelting furnace structure is 80 cm high and takes a shaft furnace shape with a double piston bellow system. The smelting technique is a “Direct Process” and requires higher temperatures of approximately 1,175 – 1,200 celsius degrees. The iron ore is hematite, which was mined at Doi Lek Mountain. The ratio of iron ore and fuel is 1: 2. The iron ingot is both the annual tribute payment to the ruler of Muang Lampang and the material used to produce iron equipment in Muang Long. Muang Long could produce at least 2.4 tons of iron ingot per year. The iron of Maung Long is of good quality. The Lanna people always say “The best quality iron is from Muang Long! The best quality gold is from Maung Phayao!”. Moreover, in some Northern Thailand literature, such as “The poem of the ruler of Maung Phrae’s palace celebration; Sriwijaya, 1832 A.D.”, describes iron from Maung Long as not only strong but also sacred. PubDate: 2022-12-27 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Ratchapon Tajaya Pages: 231 - 258 Abstract: The restoration and conservation of Ancient Thai Mirror (Kriab mirror) Sculptures ornamenting Phra Si Sakayamuni’s throne at Wat Suthat Thepwararam’s Royal Vihara is a synthesis of history and art to achieve the right form and craftsmanship, and also of science to analyse the composition of the original Kriab mirror. The work began with the examination of the general condition of the Buddha Throne of Phra Si Sakyamuni before reparation by establishing a conservation guideline based on the original Kriab mirror pattern for restoring and conserving the old Kriab mirror to retain as much of its original condition as possible. The repair material will be manufactured using the Kriab mirror scraper that was recently fabricated using the essential elements found in the antique Kriab mirror sample as a model. The fastening material for the Kriab mirror will be made using the ancient raking process. In comparison to the restoration work, it will be nearly identical to the original antique Kriab mirror at the base of the Buddha throne, based on the precision of the art form and conservation technique, and informed by materials science. PubDate: 2022-12-27 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Dr. Wachirawit Tungtananuwat Pages: 259 - 278 Abstract: The purpose of this research was to interpret the four animal symbols and other sculptures in bronze and on wood door panels in accordance with Xiyouji literature. On this view, the horse refers to the Xuanzang's dragon horse, while the lion, elephant and eagle refer to three demonic kings. These four animals connote the support which assisted Xuanzang to successfully bring the Dharma to The Tang Emperor: a horse carrying a large number of Dharma scrolls, the Buddha and the two Bodhisattvas who defeated three demonic kings. Of the four animal carvings on the wood door panels, the horse represents the French, the lion represents the British, the elephants refer to the people of Ceylon, and the eagle stands for the American. King Mongkut used the Xiyouji plot to compare the methods of Buddhist propagation. The Tang Emperor used the handwritten method to copy the scripture’s manuscript, whereas the King Mongkut used the more efficient typing method. The four animals represent friends from four nations, Ceylon, France, England and the United States of America who support their royal duties. PubDate: 2022-12-27 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Thanachot Keatnapat Pages: 279 - 310 Abstract: The article aims to analyze encoded texts which existed on the Thai textbook, composed under the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), Pathanukrom, a work by Phra Pidokkosol (Ouam) of Wat Ratchaburana, and composed in 1857. The study was conducted using text-based analysis, with major data collected from Pathanukrom (2021 edition published by Fine Arts Department) and from other textbooks existing prior to Pathanukrom, which were published or in a form of ancient manuscripts, to trace the origin of each encoded text category. The findings revealed that Pathanukrom’s author employed as many as 8 categories of encoded texts, which include Wannakangkhaya, Thailhong, Thainub, Rusiplaengsan, Aksronlek, Fhonsanaeha, Aksornluan and Aksronsub. Explanation techniques of each encoded text category are briefly summarised with the author’s suggestions on additional textbooks for further research. Concerning the origin of the encoded texts, it is found that the author brought them from Wachirasaratthasangkhana Scripture and other traditional Thai textbooks, namely Chindamanee, Prathommala and Aksornnit. The study on encoded texts in Pathanukrom reveals the encoded texts that had been continuously maintained from the Ayutthaya’s textbooks to those of Rattanakosin under the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), which was the final period of traditional education prior to the educational reform in 1871, under the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). PubDate: 2022-12-27 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Dr. Chawalit Atipattayakul Pages: 311 - 348 Abstract: The decorative patterns in Isan ordination halls before 1940 in Thailand can be categorized into three groups. The first group is decorated in accordance with the culture of the late Ayutthaya period. This group is especially seen in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, where its ordination halls are generally decorated as Pum Chor Hang To or ‘lion tail’ motifs combined with Narayana on Garuda and Erawan riding Indhra patterns. The second group is a contemporary pattern influenced from the former Lan Xang culture of Laos, normally seen along the Mekong River. Its highlight is a drooping Phaeng Sarai with gardenia-motif carving. The third group comes from Vietnamese handiwork focusing on auspicious patterns, e.g. leaves and flowers, bats, tigers, Prajam Yam and others, which are believed to bring about prosperity and longevity to sightseers. Apexes of ordination halls in this group are also decorated as dragon motifs representing the Lord Buddha, the leader and founder of Buddhism. Results acquired from analysis of Isan-historical evidence indicated that factors effecting Isan ordination halls on pattern creation, prototype origins, development and sequels are consistent with sequences of historical periods, i.e. Ayutthaya, former Lan Xang of Laos, and Rattanakosin, respectively. The study also shows Isan historical art in the former time in terms of handicraft succession, which may later lead to guidelines for conserving and developing our country’s artistic traditions. PubDate: 2022-12-27 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 2 (2022)
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