world's biggest open-air museum (4)

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Ancient Siam (formerly known as Ancient City)(Thai: Mueang Boran) is a park constructed under the patronage of Lek Viriyaphant in the shape of Thailand. Ancient Siam is dubbed as the world's largest outdoor museum. Besides from important architectures that was recreated or relocated, there are also many constructions which are originated form Khun Lek Viriyaphan's imagination in the Re-Creation Area which are exotic and fascinating such as "The pavilion of the enlightened," "The Rainbow Bridge," "Sumeru Mountain," or "Botanical Garden from Thai Literature," etc. Moreover, from the Re-Creation area there might be some strange figure buildings which were built according to the written history or drawn paintings which cannot be seen anywhere in the present such as "The Phra Kaew Pavilion," "Ho Kham" of Lampang province, etc. The Ancient City is the door opening to the heritage of Thai wisdom. With a wide range of architectural symbols combined with fine arts and craftsmanship, structural layout and natural environment that integrate harmoniously, The Ancient City creates kind of atmosphere that induces visitors to perceive and appreciate the continuity of history, cultures, religions, arts and customs of Thai people from dawn until now.

From the Re-Creation area there might be some strange figure buildings which were built according to the written history or drawn paintings which cannot be seen anywhere in the present such as "The Phra Kaew Pavilion,"

The Phra Kaew Pavilion

The Phra Kaew Pavilion

The Phra Kaew Pavilion

Mondop of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Kuan-Yin) :The two virtues that make it possible for humanity to live together in peace are kindness and justice. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara representing the spirit of compassion is the most revered and honored heavenly being in India, China, Tibet, Japan and Korea.After the Tang Dynasty, legends transformed this male Bodhisattva into the image of a beautiful and gracious woman. The Chinese call her Kuan-Yin. The lady's face is sad and compassionate, concerned for all humanities. Her image is rendered as a graceful female figure, wearing a chain featuring the figure of a deer.

Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Kuan-Yin)

Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Kuan-Yin)

The Audience Hall of Thon Buri The Audience Hall or the former hall of the Palace of King Taksin (1767 –1782) now functions as the Headquarters of the Navy.

It is a one-storey Thai style building with three wings and a multitiered roof. The audience hall is composed of two abutting brick and plaster buildings. The first frontal structure is the audience hall or Thong-Phra-Rong proper. The hall is roofed with porcelain tiles. The brick floor where the courtiers sat is raised one step above the ground.

The throne from which the king made his pronouncements is a stepped wooden moon stone raised 1.20 meters high with 2 flanking staircases.

The second building is normally called the Lateral Hall of Phra Thi Nang Khwang which for merly served as the kings private quarters. The floor is made from timber planks.

The Audience Hall or the former hall of the Palace of King Taksin

The walls of the kings bedchamber in the audience hall at Muang Boran are covered with murals painted by Mr. Kraisorn Srisuwan and his company. The story is depicted from the chronicles telling Thai history during the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 A.D. and the establishment of Thon Buri, new capital

The interior decoration and furniture has preserved a Chinese atmosphere. Visitors may be impressed with the historical activities and achievements of the king portrayed in the throne hall.

The Scripture Repository - In the past, the scripture repository is normally raised on piles over a pond to protect the palm leaf manuscripts from ants and termites. The one at Muang Boran has been built and preserved for posterity. The repository was brought from Wat Yai, Bang Khonthi in Samut Songkhram Province.

BellTowerNearby the scripture repository there is a bell tower which has a unique local style hardly seen today. Muang Boran obtained this building from the same monastery.

Drum TowerThe drum tower still is used in some Thai villages calling the citizen to come to the monastery or temple for their meditation. Usually a novice is climbing up to the tower to beat the drum.

Prang Sam Yod Lopburi

Prang Sam Yod Lopburi

Prang Sam Yod or the Three Spired Sanctuary, made of laterite, is located in the heart of Lop Buri Province. The architectural style, showing the influence of Khmer art, is considered the art of the Lop Buri school. The sanctuary dates back to the 13th century A.D., when the Bayon school of Khmer was initiated and prospered in Phra Nakhon Luang (Nakhon Thom) of the Khmer Empire.

Prasat Phra Wihan

Prasat Phra Wihan stands on the summit of Phra Wihan Hill on the Thai-Cambodian border, Si Sa Ket Province. This stone sanctuary was built in the reign of King Suryavarman I around 1038 A.D.

Phra Wihan (Preah Vihear), walkway

Phra Wihan (Preah Vihear)

Phra Wihan (Preah Vihear)

Phra Wihan, Preah VihearAs for the architectural style, beginning from the depression at the foot of the hill slope and moving up to the hill, one passes through a series of 4 groups of stone structures established at different levels.

Phra Wihan (Preah Vihear)

Khao Phra Wihan at Muang Boran is an artificial hill with 54 meters high, 66 meters wide and 250 meters of hill slope. 684 pillars have been used to shore up the hill, 2,400 truckloads of rock fill were used to create the lofty hill. The artificial hill of Preah Vihear is about one-tenth of its original size while the prasat is smaller than its original size by half. On the top of Khao Phra Wihan provides an excellent scenary of Muang Boran.

Buddha image, Dvaravati Wihan

The Dvaravati Kingdom has long been considered the center of Hinayana Buddhism. Since a large amount of the religious art works had been created in Dvaravati, they have been classified as artifacts of the Dvaravati school, the art school named after the period these works of art belong. The elaborate pieces of Dvaravati artworks were created in accordance with Buddhism beliefs.Ubosot (ordination hall), wihan (assembly hall), chedi (stupa) and Buddha images executed during the period are normally large. Muang Boran has reconstructed the Dvaravati wihan to represent the image of the Dvaravati Kingdom, whose influence had flourished in the northeastern region for more than a thousand years.

Buddha image, Dvaravati Wihan

Buddha image, Dvaravati Wihan

Buddha Image of the Dvaravati Period

Buddha Image of the Dvaravati Period

The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That, Sukhothai

The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That, Sukhothai

The scaled model of the Grand Hall at Muang Boran is smaller than that of the original by three-fourths. Nearby are the statues of 4 Buddha images in 4 distinctive gestures which are known as Phra Si Iriyabot. The statues show unique characteristics of the distinguished art in casting the images in Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Kampaeng Phet. The style of architecture can be found nowhere else in Thailand.

The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That, Sukhothai

The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That in the old Sukhothai Kingdom is composed of 11 large rooms which are divided into 2 sections: the front section where people sat, and the rear section where the Buddha images were housed. The pillars of the wihan are made of circular slices of laterite, stacked one on top of another in gradually diminishing sizes.

The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That, Sukhothai

The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That, Sukhothai

The Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton, Sing Buri

The Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton, Sing Buri

Sound: Kid tueng mae - Jakajan Wanwisah

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Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda