Ancient Siam

For other uses, see History of Thailand.

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 being severely damaged over time and decided instead of creating new miniatures to save the original structures when possible or re-creating them full size or scaled down.

Ancient Siam is dubbed as the world's largest outdoor museum. Situated 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 each of 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.

Inside Ancient Siam

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  

Ancient Siam is located on the old Sukhumvit Highway, about 33 km south-east of central Bangkok. Golf carts and bicycles can be hired for moving around the park, and private vehicles are also allowed at a fee.

References

Muang Boran, In the Ancient City (Bangkok: Muang Boran Publishing House, 1980).

Muang Boran, Muang Boran: A Nostalgic Look (Bangkok: Muang Boran Publishing House, 1988).

Penny Van Esterik, Materializing Thailand (Oxford: Berg, 2000), pp. 114–118.

Related links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mueang Boran.

Coordinates: 13°32′45″N 100°37′41″E / 13.54583°N 100.62806°E / 13.54583; 100.62806


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