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Ancient Siam (formerly known as Ancient City) (Thai: Muang 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. Three Pagodas Pass, Kanchanaburi

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.

The entrance gate is crowned with the faces of Bodhisattva facing the 4 cardinal directions

Tiger King's Palace, Phetchaburi

The teaching hall at Wat Yai Suwannaram, or normally known as the Tiger Kings Palace, was once situated in area of the Ayutthaya Grand Palace. During the reign of King Sanphet VIII (or the Tiger King), he dedicated this teak palace to Somdej Phra Suwanna Muni (or Somdej Chao Tangmo), the supreme patriarch of the Ayutthaya Kingdom who came from Phetchaburi Province.

Tiger King's Palace, Phetchaburi

This palace was dismantled and reconstructed at Wat Yai Suwannaram, the monastery where the patriarch had grown up and been educated.

Tiger King's Palace, Phetchaburi

Muang Boran has reconstructed this teaching hall in smaller size

Tiger King's Palace, Phetchaburi

Royal daybed

Tiger King's Palace, Phetchaburi

Garden of the Gods, Vishnu (or Phra Narai) is asleep on the back of Naga Ananta

Garden of the Gods Fantasy Bridge and Pavilion

New structure of Hindu architecture between the Garden of theGods and the Sulhothai Wihan

Garden of the Gods Fantasy Bridge and Pavilion

The Wihan of Wat Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai. Muang Boran had brought the ubosot from Wat Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai (or the present Phayao Province).

The Wihan of Wat Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai

The Wihan of Wat Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai

The ancient wooden hall like this can hardly be found today. This decrepit grand hall is in fact very strong and stable. The building is easily constructed but only with skillful hands. The upper part of the posts of the wihan are supported by beams which are obviously strong that they help to prevent the whole structure from falling down, despite the lower part of the pillars being very decayed. The structure is roofed with the wooden tiles attached to the ranaeng by hooks of the tiles. Without using a single nail, the building is well-established, large, elegant and entrancing.

The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That, Sukhothai

The Thai Hamlet from the Central Plains

Muang Boran has re-erected a group of Thai Hamlets made of paneled teak surrounded by steady fences. The village is intended to portray the way of life of Thai farmers who live in the central plain area. Authentic rice cultivation and local farming tools are used.

The mondop housing the Footprint of the Lord Buddha Saraburi

The mondop housing the Footprint of the Lord Buddha Saraburi

I-Nao Garden

I-Nao, one of the classical literature originating from the late Ayutthaya period, is believed to have been taken from Indonesian literature. The story tells of a complicated love between I-Nao, a young prince, and Busaba, a maiden. After living through many obstacles, I-Nao and Busaba were finally reunited and lived a blissful life ever after.

Lan Chang Styled Scripture Repository and Wihan

The northeastern community, established since the early Buddhist era, has created its own unique artistic style that is different from other types of indigenous architecture. The art became known as the art of Lan Chang.

Lan Chang Styled Scripture Repository and Wihan

Lan Chang Styled Wihan (detail) and the upper part of the stupa Phra That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom

Lan Chang styled wihan ceiling

The Wihan at Sa-Moeng

The Wihan at Sa-Moeng

The open-sided architecture as found in Sa-Moeng has illustrated the unique architectural style of the ancient Lanna Kingdom in Northern Thailand.

The word "Wihan" comes out from the Sanskrit and Pali languages (Vihara) and means a "Buddhist monastery".

The Courage of the People of Bang Rachan

During the late Ayutthaya period, in the reign of King Ekathat, Burmese troops invaded Ayutthaya Kingdom and subdued Siamese. They raped, pillaged and burnt peoples houses. The incident made the people of Sing Buri angry and began to organize local militia to protect their community which was known as Khai Bang Rachan or Bang Rachan Fort.They had fought with the Burmese invaders eight times before they were finally defeated. The Burmese laid siege to the stockade with cannons. Failed in their appeal for a cannon from the capital and their own attempt to cast a cannon, the Bang Rachan people became discouraged.

Although they had fought steadfastly for 5 months, the camp was eventually over run and its defenders massacred on Monday in the eighth lunar month on the second day of the waning moon in 1766 A.D.Although the village was entirely destroyed, the exploits of every brave Thai defender continues to be rekindled by the recollection of the Siamese people. The unwavering courage of the villagers is one of the greatest heroic deeds recorded in Thai history

The Ramayana Garden

The Ramayana Garden

Ramayana or the Tale of Rama is an ancient Indian epic telling the story of the migration of the Arayan people into the Gangetic Plain of northern India which, according to Buddhism lore, is known as Matayama Pradesh while in Hinduism, it is called Parata watra. The leader of the Arayan, Phra Rama, was the commander who led his ravaging troops through the southern region of India and occupied Ceylon, the city of the Dravidians at that time.

The Ramayana Garden

Many evidences such as sculptures and carvings found at many historical sites in Thailand expressed that Siam derived Ramayana from India for many hundreds of years ago. During the Ayutthaya period, a number of episodes were adapted for the royal play, namely Khon, the masked dance-drama, and Lakorn theater. The Thai version of Ramayana is known as the Ramakien. The original Ayutthaya version was entirely destroyed in 1767 A.D. by Burmese soldiers. It was not until the reign of King Rama I that a new version was composed by the King and the court poets.

The Ramayana Garden

The Palace Garden Part of a group of buildings believed to have originally been in the palace garden of King Rama II. It was in the grounds of the Royal Grand Palace and was used as private quarters for the King.

Ceiling detail

The garden was dismantled and many buildings were given to temples during the reign of King Rama III. Muang Boran brought all of the original buildings from Wat Phai Ngoen in Yan Nawa District, Bangkok;they show considerable influence of Chinese art in the Thai court during the early Rattanakosin period.

The garden of the Chinese gods

There are four kinds of spirit house seen around Bangkok, the most common being the 'San Jao Tii' and 'San Pra Phoom', which often appear together in pairs

1. San Jao Tii'Abode for the Land Lord of the Place‘ 2. San Pra Phoom'Abode of the Land's Guardian Angel‘

3. San Phra Brahm‘Abode of Phra Brahm’ 4. San Piyanda‘Abode of the eye level’

The Shrine Housing the City Pillar is another kind of sacred site that reflects the belief of local Thai villagers in supernatural power.

A Lak Mueang or City pillar is found in most cities of Thailand, usually housed in a shrine which is also believed to house the city spirit deity According to an old Thai tradition, a city pillar had to be built upon the establishment of a new city.

Phra Kaew pavilion and Khun Chang Khun Phaen garden

(Khun Chang Khun Phaen is an epic Thai poem which originated from a legend of Thai folklore and is one of the most notable works in Thai literature)

Wat Chong Kham, LampangThe excellent work of northern craftsmanship can be seen from the equal emphasis to the split-level roofs and the rythmic spacing of carved decorations

Wat Chong Kham, LampangThe building, made of teak wood, combines wihan, sala and monks living quarters in one building.

Wat Chong Kham, Lampang

Wat Chong Kham, Lampang

Replica of The Sukhothai Vihan

Sukhothai Wihan at Muang Boran reconstructed based on archaeological and historical evidences shows unique details of Sukhothai art and architectural style

Replica of The Sukhothai Vihan

Sukhothai Wihan at Muang Boran was reconstructed based on archaeological and historical evidences; the wihan is constructed based on the wihan of Phra Buddha Chinarat of Wat Phra Si Ratana Maha That in Phitsanulok Province

Mondop Phra Si Thit

Building principal Buddha images facing the 4 directions of the compass is a tradition dated bank to the Dvaravati period.

Red bridge, Folk Museum in background

Sound: Thai Traditional Music

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Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda