|
A tour of the National Museum in Bangkok,
which traces the early Thai civilizations in the
region and the history of subsequent kingdoms, is
like taking a stroll through the corridors of
time. The short tour gives the visitor an overview
of more than a millennium of history of the
kingdom.
Our tour starts with the origin of early Thai
civilizations in the first section in the National
Museum. There's evidence of civilizations dating
back to the early Stone Age from relics discovered
in Lampang and Mae Hong Son in northern Thailand
and Krabi to the south.
Civilizations existing around 3,600 BC were
discovered in Ban Chiang, Udorn Thani in northeast
Thailand as well as Kanchanaburi and Chonburi.
There are conflicting theories as to where the
early immigrants came from. However, there's
sufficient evidence to show that there were
civilizations in the area for more than 1,000
years.
The next section in the National Museum covers the
7th - 13th centuries when the Khmer empire, based
in what is now Cambodia, was at the height of its
power. The influence of Khmer culture covered the
northeastern region of Thailand and extended all
the way to Lopburi in central Thailand. Historical
sites like Phanom Rung in Buriram and Phimai in
Nakhon Ratchasima are testimony to this influence.
The 13th century saw the rise of the Sukhothai
kingdom. The kingdom reached its pinnacle under
the reign of King Ram Khamhaeng from 1279 - 1298
AD. Sukhothai not only grew in political and
military stature, it was renowned for its art,
architecture and culture. It was King Ram
Khamhaeng who started the Thai alphabet.
The Ayutthaya section in the National Museum is
the most substantial. Founded by King U-Thong in
1351, Ayutthaya was a city bounded by three
rivers, the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pasak. It
grew rapidly and soon eclipsed Sukhothai and the
other kingdoms.
At the height of its influence, Ayutthaya was a
major commercial center with three main palaces
within a walled city with its network of roads and
canals and protected by 16 forts. Trade with
China, Portugal, the Netherlands and Japan
flourished.
Ayutthaya was captured and sacked by Burma in
1569. The city was revived in 1584 by King
Naresuan. Unfortunately it was overrun again and
completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. Built
up over four centuries, Ayutthaya with its 34
kings from five dynasties crashed to an abrupt and
tragic end.
It was left to Phraya Taksin, son of a Chinese
immigrant, who escaped the destruction of
Ayutthaya to reestablish a new capital in Thonburi.
In a series of campaigns he drove the Burmese out
of Thailand and reunited the various kingdoms.
The grand finale in the tour of the National
Museum covers the Chakri dynasty started by King
Rama I in 1782 when he established Bangkok as the
new capital to restore the former glory of
Ayutthaya.
It was the dawn of a new era, Rattanakosin. After
a massive Burmese onslaught was repelled, they
were never a serious threat again. The prospect of
a united Thailand with secure borders became a
reality. Under the reign of the Chakri Kings, the
next 200 years, saw the gradual emergence of a
modern Thailand.
The National Museum in Bangkok captures more than
a millennium of history of the early Thai
civilizations, the rise and fall of the various
kingdoms and dynasties to the present. It
encapsulates the cultural ballast and very soul of
the Thai nation.
For more on King Taksin of Thonburi.
About the Author
Visit the National Museum when you Tour Bangkok
Legacies and stroll through the corridors of
history. The author, Eric Lim, is a free-lance
writer who lives in Bangkok Thailand.
|
