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 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 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

• Official website