Ancient Siam

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

Ancient City
เมืองโบราณ
Entrance gate to the park in 2009
Map
Established11 February 1972 (1972-02-11)
LocationBangpoo, Samut Prakan, Thailand
Coordinates13°32′21.498″N 100°37′22.515″E / 13.53930500°N 100.62292083°E / 13.53930500; 100.62292083
TypeOutdoor history museum
FounderLek and Praphai Viriyahphant
Websitewww.muangboranmuseum.com

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. Still others are "creative designs," and not replicas of any historical structure.

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

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Sanphet Prasat Throne Hall, Ayuthayan kings' palace, Ancient Siam replica

Lek Viriyaphant was interested in art since 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 17 November 2000.

Recent events

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In 2006, 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 was the largest in the show's history. In the area, Sanphet castle model was the place where the winner was announced.

On 29 September 2009, 500 activists from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protested at the model of the Preah Vihear Temple in Ancient Siam. They claimed that the temple belonged to Thailand although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague had ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia.

Architecture by timeline

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The Pavilion of the Enlightened, a "creative design" not based on any historic structure.

The Ancient City displays significant architectural achievements from different eras. They are arranged chronologically.[1]

  • Pre-historical
  • Dvaravati (11th – 16th centuries BE)
  • Srivichaya (13th – 18th BE)
  • Khmer or Ancient Khmer (16th – 18th BE)
  • Lanna (16th – 25th BE)
  • Lan Chang (16th – 21st BE)
  • Hariphunchai (17th – 19th BE)
  • Sukhothai (17th – 20th BE)
  • Authong (17th – 20th BE)
  • Ayutthaya (19th – 24th BE)
  • Thonburi (24th BE)
  • Rattanakosin (25th BE)

List of replicas

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Replica from Original Reconstructed Original Creative Design
The Royal Stand A Monk's Residence Khun Chang Khun Phaen Garden
Phra That Chom Kitti, Chiang Rai The Hall of Wat Nimit, Trat Dvaravati Wihan
The Fruit Shape Tower (Prang Mafuang), Chai Nat The Shrines The Information Pavilion
The Wihan at Wat Phumin, Nan The Thai Hamlet from the Central Plains The Garden of Sacred Stupa
The City Wall and Gate The Shrine housing the City Pillar I-Nao Garden
The Footprint of the Lord Buddha, Saraburi The Old Market Town The City Sala
Phra Chedi Sri Song Rak, Loei The Scripture Repository The Yamaka Patiharn
Prasat Sadok Kok Thom, Sa Kaeo The Bell Tower The Manohra Garden
The Mondop housing the standing footprints of the Lord Buddha, Uttaradit The Palace Garden The Garden of Phra Aphaimani, Rayong
The Ancient Theatrical Pavilion The Floating Market The Courage of the people of Bang Rachan
Prang Sam Yod, Lop Buri The Anthropological Museum The Krai Thong Garden
The Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton, Sing Buri The Wihan at Wat Phrao, Tak Sala of Ten Reincarnations
Phra That Bang Phuan, Nong Khai The Meditation Retreat Sumeru Mountain
The Stupa of Phra Maha That, Nakhon Si Thammarat The Thai-Songdam Village The Garden Of The Gods
The Old Sea Wall at Chachoengsao Wat Chong Kham, Lampang The Reclining Buddha
The Pallava Group of Images, Phaug-Nga The Wihan at Sa-Moeng, Chiang Mai Sala of 80 Yogi
The Garden of Pha Daeng-Nang Ai (Rocket Festival characters) The Wihan of Wat Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai Mondop of Bodhisattva Avalokitesavara (Kuan-Yin)
The Red Block Fort, Chanthaburi The Water Hall Bodhisattva Avalokitesavara (Kuan-Yin) performing a miracle
The Stupa of Phra Maha That, Chaiya, Surat Thani The Northern Thai Village The 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 Thonburi   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, Buriram    
The Chom Thong Palace Hall, Ayutthaya    
The Kam Yaad Palace Hall, Ang Thong    
Prasat Sikhoraphum, Surin    
The Phimai Sanctuary, Nakhon Ratchasima    

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "HISTORICAL TIMELINE". Ancient City Group. Retrieved 2018-06-07.

Further reading

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