THE KHMER CONTEMPORARY COMMUNITIES IN THE MAE KLONG-THA CHIN VALLEY: CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGES

Abstract

The major purpose of this article is to present the cultural development and changes of ancient communities in the Mae Klong-Tha Chin vally, after the influence of Khmer culture. The scope of the study is limited to the western region of Thailand, which covers five provinces: Kanchanaburi, Suphanburi, Ratchabuti, Nakhon Prathom and Petchaburi.

Results of the research indicate that there were two phases of Khmer cultural influence; the first phase belonged to the Pre-Angkorian period (6th-8th century A.D.), which is shown by the discovery of Mukhalinga from U-Thong, Suphanburi Province. The second phase was during the Anfkorian period in the late 12th century A.D., reign of King Jayavarman Vll. Traces of this period could be seen in many communities such as Muang Singh, Muang Krut, Ban Klon Do site, Wat Mahathat of Ratchaburi, Muang Srakosinarai, Noen Thang Pra ancient ruin, Prasat Kamphaenglang etc.

After the spread of Khmer culture into Mae Klong-Tha Chin valley area, there was evidence of cultural changes different from Dvaravati culture, which formerly existed in the studied areas, including settlement pattern religious beliefs, monuments and Khmer ceramics (brown glaze/green glaze). However, Khmer culture in Thailand was quite different from Khmer culture in Cambodia because it was integrated with Dvaravati culture, the local in central Thailand. Moreover, there was the cultural relationship between the ancient communities in the western region (Kanchanabutri, Suphanbuti, Ratchaburi, Petchaburi) and the contemporary communities in Central (Lopburi) and North-East Thailand (Lover Mun Vally), Cambodia and China during the sung period.