Khmer Temples in Eastern Thailand

archaeo-astronomy
Ancient Khmer Sites in Eastern Thailand

New book from White Lotus!

White Lotus Co. Ltd.

G.P.O. Box 1141

Bangkok 10501

Thailand

Tel. (66) 0-38239-883-4

Fax (66) 0-38239-885

E-mail ande@loxinfo.co.th

Websites www.whitelotuspress.com

www.whitelotusbooks.com

Printed in Thailand

ISBN: 978 974 480 181 4 pbk.

Available late 2011 or primo 2012

Introduction

      This book is the first comprehensive inventory of ancient Khmer sites in eastern Thailand since the now century-old works of Étienne Aymonier, Étienne Lunet de Lajonquière, and Major Erik Seidenfaden, describing ninety-six sites in the provinces of Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Chachoengsao, Prachinburi, and Sra Kaeo. Museums and temples in the area exhibiting Khmer artefacts, quarries, ancient moated sites, and ancient routes are described as well.
      A similar inventory covering some three hundred ancient Khmer locations in northeast Thailand (Isan) and southern Laos is under preparation.
       The aim of this GPS-based field research is to determine basic data for archaeo-astronomical calculations. Location, era, and orientation are presented together with a short description about the site, inscriptions, associated water structures such as moats, small ponds (sra), larger basins (baray), nearby rivers, and geographical context.

The attached CD contains some 3,000 photographs and satellite images.
        The format of the photos is 600 by 800 pixels. Original formats can be acquired by contacting the author.
        The waypoints (coordinates) can be transferred to a GPS device for the traveller to find the location easily. Another option is to copy the coordinates and paste them into an Internet resource such as Google Maps, Google Earth, or PointAsia, and see the location “from above”—and also to get an idea about how to go there. The waypoints are also presented on the CD in the format used by Garmin’s software MapSource. For those readers not using a GPS device, the waypoints are provided on the CD as Google Earth links, giving the reader the option, by clicking on the link, to see all sites in Google Earth, which can be downloaded and installed for free via the Internet (www.google.com/earth). GPS tracks are generally not provided, for two reasons: first, the files become too large for Google Earth to show them on older computers, and second, the field research was conducted on motorbike, so in many cases the GPS tracks would only be useful for those having a dirt bike.
        The book can therefore be read on several levels: (1) as an ordinary book, (2) together with a computer or other digital device capable of showing graphics, (3) with an Internet connection providing satellite access, and ultimately (4) with a GPS device for visiting the sites conveniently.

Contents

Introduction	XII

Chanthaburi
Introduction to the Chronology	2
Introduction to Chanthaburi Province	3
Noen Phaniat	6
Phaniat Ancient Site	7
Wat Thong Thua	8
Wat Thong Thua Museum	9
Wat Sra Bap	11
Benchamarachuthit School	12
Wat Bon	12
Khao Phloi Waen	13
Inscriptions in Chanthaburi Province	15

Chonburi, and Chachoengsao
Introduction to the Northwestern Provinces of Eastern Thailand	17
Mueang Phra Rot	19
Sra Siliam	20
Tham Nang Sipsong Cave and Pond	20
Prasat Sra Morakot	22
Sra Morakot Museum	23
The National Museum in Prachinburi	24
The National Museum in Bangkok	25
Mueang Sri Mahosot Ancient Settlement	26
Sri Mahosot: Moat and Fai Nam, Ancient Road, and Ancient Ponds and Reservoirs	30
Sri Mahosot: Hoa Sra Ponds	31
Sri Mahosot: Sra Kaeo	31
Sri Mahosot: Site no. 22	32
Sri Mahosot: Site no. 86	32
Sri Mahosot: Site nos. 25 and 26	33
Sri Mahosot: Site no. 29	34
Sri Mahosot: Phu Khao Thong	34
Sri Mahosot: Site no. 223	35
Sri Mahosot: Site no. 10	35
Sri Mahosot: Site nos. 19 and 20	36
Sri Mahosot: Site no. 16	36
Sri Mahosot: Site no. 18	37
Sri Mahosot: Site no. 21	37
Phan Hin	38
Lum Mueang	39
Lai Phrahat	39
Prasat Ban Prasat	40
Sra Thaen	41
Inscriptions in Prachinburi Province	42

Sra Kaeo
Introduction to Sra Kaeo Province	46
The Pre-Angkorian Period	48
The Angkorian Period	49
Map of Amoghapura	53
Map of Sites in Sra Kaeo	54
Sra Phranet	56
Mueang Phai Ancient Settlement	57
Prasat (?) Mueang Phai I	58
Prasat Mueang Phai II	59
Diagram of Ancient Settlements	60
Prasat Khao Noi	61
Prasat Khao Rang	65
Prasat Kut Hin	66
Prasat (?) Nong Thaen II	66
Prasat Nong Bon	67
Prasat Hoi	68
Prasat Ban Noi	69
Prasat (?) Han Sai	70
Prasat Trapeang Krasang	70
Prasat Sae-O	71
Prasat Nong Bo	72
Prasat Li Phi	73
Map of Sites West of Prasat Sdok Kok Thom	74
Prasat Sdok Kok Thom	75
Prasat Nong Khu Non Mak Mun	78
Prasat Nong Kot Ko	79
Prasat Non Mak Mun	80
Prasat Non Bot	81
Prasat Nong I Khem	82
Prasat Nong Ta Bun	83
Prasat Nong Phak Bung Yai	84
Prasat Nong Ta Bai	85
Prasat Yot Udom	86
Prasat Nong Khu II	87
Prasat Thap Siam	88
Prasat Phanom Chat	89
Map of Sites West of Ta Phraya	90
Prasat Non Prasat	91
Prasat Non Prasat Yai	92
Prasat Sri Suk	93
Prasat Huai Ta Khian	94
Prasat Non That	95
Prasat Oraphin	96
Prasat Nong Bot	97
Prasat Nong Yai	98
Prasat Khok Kruat	98
Prasat Khok Phlai (N)	99
Prasat Khok Phlai (E)	100
Prasat Khao Lon	101
Diagram of Water Structures	103
Prasat Khao Yak	104
Prasat Khok Ballang	105
Prasat Nong Thaen I	106
Prasat Nong Phai Lom	107
Prasat Nong Ballang I	108
Prasat (?) Charoen Suk	108
Prasat Nong Ballang II	109
Prasat Pa Chong	110
Map of Sites North of Ta Phraya	111
Prasat Ta Ko	112
Prasat (?) Nong Ta Khian	113
Prasat Na Ta Rian	114
Prasat Nong Salatdai I	115
Prasat Nong Ta Moe	116
Prasat Nong Salatdai III	117
Prasat Nong Chorakhae Yai	118
Prasat Khok Prasat I	119
Prasat Khok Ta Rang	120
Prasat Khok Prasat II	121
Prasat Ban Prasat	122
Prasat Khok Yai	123
Sra Chaeng, or the Cankaratataka Tank	124
Prasat Chong Sra Chaeng	125
Prasat Kaban Khomot	126
Prasat Ta Yaem	127

Other Sites in Sra Kaeo
Sites in the Vicinity of Chong Ta Kiu Pass	130
Thap Thim Siam Quarries	131
The Ta Phraya National Park Inscriptions	131
Luk Chang Quarry	132
Sam Sra	132
Phanom Ki	133
Ta Phraya Public Library	133
Wat Ta Phraya	134
Wat Makok	135
Wat Krasang	136
Wat Khok Thahan	137
Wat Nong Tim	138
Wat Kut Wian	139
Wat Nong Waeng	140
Inscriptions in Sra Kaeo Province	141
The Suan Phakkat Museum in Bangkok	147

Ancient Routes	150

Appendices
I: Orientations of Khmer Temples	156
II: The Indian Circle	160
III: Glossary	166

Bibliography and Internet Sources	167
Endnotes	176

On the CD
1. Bilingual List of Addresses in Thai and English 2. Photos 3. Waypoints 4. Google Earth GPS File 5. Links to literature

INDEX of Sundial and Khmer Temples

Main Index www.thai-isan-lao.com

macsida@thai-isan-lao.com