Thailand's Ancient City Cultural Park
Mueang Boran, Outside Bangkok, Showcases Thailand's Culture
Aug 13, 2008
In July 2008 Bangkok was voted first place in the top 10 cities in the world by the readers of Travel & Leisure Magazine as reported in "The Nation Newspaper, July 10, 2008". It was the first time Bangkok topped this category said Nancy Novogrod, editor-in-chief of Travel & Leisure, while last year it ranked third. But Bangkok is not the only city in Thailand ranking high in world sites worth visiting. The Ancient City or Mueang Boran situated in Samut Prakarn is of particular interest to visitors to Thailand and local Thai people themselves.
Mueang Boran Cultural Park
The Ancient City is not a city as such with streets and city type infrastructure it is much more than that. It is a 320 acre park pretty much in the shape of Thailand itself. Mueang is the phonemic transcription of the Thai word for city and Boran is the phonemic transcription for ancient – Mueang Boran, The Ancient City.
Location of Mueang Boran
Mueang Boran is situated about 33km east of Bangkok and it is the brain child of Lek Viriyaphant, a Thai gentleman and it was started in the 1970’s and continues to develop on a daily basis. It was never conceived to be an open air museum although it certainly is that also, but it was conceived and created to preserve and protect Thai monuments and cultures in danger of being lost to future generations of Thai people.
Original Thai Monuments
Many of the monuments on view are original having being lifted and transported in perfect detail for preservation on their new site. Others are life-size replicas, true to their original, down to the minutest detail. All of the exhibits are meticulously reproduced for accurate study of Thailand’s past.
Thai Culture and History
The Ancient City is a place of traditional Thai culture and history. It is a place of peace and tranquility and even on occasion – reverence – such is the perfection of the setting of each monument and the detail in which it is preserved and maintained. There are replicas and originals from most if not all of Thailand’s provinces and it is forever progressing to encompass much more as the years pass by. Each exhibit is placed in the geographically correct position as found in the Thai landscape.
Ancient Sites in Mueang Boran
- The Phanom Rung Stone Sanctuary in Buri Ram Province. This is a Hindu sanctuary from the 9th century.
- The Samohet Prasat Palace considered to be a true symbol of the magnificence of Ayutthaya.
- Phimai Sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
- River life along the majestic Mekong River has always been an intricate part of Thai culture and civilization and it is lovingly recreated in the floating market in the park. The houseboats and shops are all typical of Thai life on the river.
- The Foot of the Lord Buddha, Saraburi. The housing of the Footprint of The Lord Buddha in Saraburi is considered to be one of the most sacred places in Thailand.
Other sights to enchant and captivate are: The Phra Kaew Pavillion, The Great Battle of Yuthahathi plus many more temples, houses, Royal Barges, and scenes depicting Thai life through the centuries.
There is a lot to see in the Ancient City/Mueang Boran and it will require a full day from a holiday itinerary to see it all. Also to please the eye, in this magnificent park, are beautiful gardens with waterfalls, restaurants and rest areas for relaxation and meditation. A day spent in this Ancient City will be educational, breathtaking and above all – unforgettable.
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