A STUDY ON TRANS - PENINSULAR ROUTES ON THE UPPER COASTS OF SOUTHERN THAILAND

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to apply the analysis of the results of archaeological data and evidence from surveys and excavations at sites in Chumphon and Ranong provinces and Tha Chana district in Surat Thani provinces in order to propose a site mapping model of the trans–peninsular routes between west cost (Andaman) and east coat (Gulf of Thailand) on the upper coast of Southern Thailand from the prehistoric period, ca. 1000 BCE to 1909 CE.

There are 70 sites found in the area that reveal use during three periods: the prehistoric period, ca. 1000 BCE to the first century BCE, the early historical period, ca. The 1st- 6 th centuries CE and the Thonburi and Rattanakosin period, ca. 18 th century to 1909 CE. The five trans – peninsular routes which were active are as follows : 1) the Kraburi – Thung Tako route(the prehistoric period), 2) the Muang Ranong – Thung Tako route (the prehistoric period), 3) theKapur – Thung Tako / Lang Suan route (three period), 4) the Phu Khao Thong – Thung Tako route (the early historical period), 5) the Kraburi (Pak Chan) - Pak Nam Chum Phon route (the Thonburi and Rattanakosin period) The possibility of the three trans – peninsular routes : the Kapur – Tha Chana route (the prehistoric period), the Pak Chan – Khao Sam Kao route (the early historical period) and Muang Ranong – Muang Lang Suan route (the Thonburi and Rattanakosin period) should be take into consideration for further study.