Damrong Journal of The Faculty of Archaeology Silpakorn University

Editorial

2025-06-30T09:41:49+07:00

Editorial Team

2025-06-30T09:52:26+07:00

Peer Review

2025-06-30T09:57:38+07:00

ดีเอ็นเอไม่ไทย บรรพชนไม่แท้ เขียนโดยวิภู กุตะนันท์

2025-06-24T15:05:22+07:00

Why a Temple of the Khmer Culture Was Built atop a Hill: A Case Study of Prasat Khao Lon, Sa Kaeo Province

2024-10-03T11:19:43+07:00

Prasat Khao Lon, a Baphuon architectural style (Style de Bàphûon, ca. 1010 - 1080 CE) of the Angkorian period (Période angkorienne), was built in the early 11th century CE. The Hindu-Khmer temple is situated atop of Khao Lon, a sandstone hill. The inscriptions found in situ suggest that the temple is devoted to the Śaiva god and another goddess; i.e., Śiva, his consort (devī), and housed a Śivaliṅga as well. Therefore, the Khao Lon hill was functioning as an abode on earth of the god and goddess; their heavenly abode is Mount Kailāsa. However, the comparative study of ancient geopolitics concerning the Khmer socio-cultural ideas of hill-temples, confirmed by archaeological evidence, has shown that Prasat Khao Lon was consecrated on the basis of the Khmer’s political and economic administration. As a religious and political centre, it was the idyllic setting for communities in the foothill area of the mountain range of the San Kamphaeng. It has been recognized as the notable landmark that can be seen by passengers from the mountain pass, as well as a rest stop for travelers by land and by boat. It could serve as the point of contact for people of the communities and elsewhere.

From the Sacred to the Ruler: Politics in the Monuments of Northeastern Governors, 1950s–1980s

2025-02-17T12:56:02+07:00

This study aims to examine the statues of Isan city leaders which serve as public monuments, constructed between the 1960s and the 1980s, beginning with the creation of the monument to Phaya Phakdi Chumphon (Lae) in Chaiyaphum Province as a political tool. This research seeks to reveal the traditional sacred meaning of Isan city leaders as ancestors, which has been integrated with a new system of symbols through the gestures, hand-held items, and inscriptions depicted by or found on the monuments. The study concludes that the monuments of Isan city leaders were redefined with meanings that correspond to the context of their time. One such meaning is the representation of a good ruler and the display of loyalty to the Thai state during the Cold War era.

Animals in Isan Literature: An Exploratory Study in Ecocriticism

2024-11-20T11:59:31+07:00

This research paper aims to study animals in the Isan literature of the Phrayakhankhak by studying two major themes of ecocriticism: the representation and ethics of human-animal relationships. Animals are presented in the literature in two ways: (1) Animal representing natural powers above human beings, because animals have a better instinct, and a keener perception of the variability of nature than humans. 2) An animal representing sacred power, which is linked to the status of the Phrayakhankhak, who was born a god in the sacred world before reincarnating into the human world. In addition to the representation of animals, it has also been found that meanings have been defined for animals, which represent the ethics of the relationship between humans and animals: 1) Animals are the connector between man and nature. Even though humans commit violent acts against nature and aim to conquer it, when considering the reversal of roles, it is found that when humans suffer disasters for whatever reason, humans have to rely on nature for their livelihood. 2) The animal as an ecological balancer: the war of the Phrayakhankhak and his animals against Phrayatan, in which the animal is an ecological balancer, plays an important role in bringing the world back to normal.

Analysis of Worldviews on Animals in Lanna Proverbs

2025-03-10T14:23:29+07:00

This article aggregates and classifies animals referenced in Lanna's proverbs, examining the worldviews of the Lanna people regarding animals as depicted in these proverbs. The research utilizes data from "Lanna Proverbs" by Samorn Janjicha (2004). The results indicate that the compilation and categorization include 141 proverbs representing 34 kinds of animals. This encompasses: 1) Terrestrial animals such as deer, muntjac, squirrels, rhinoceroses, mongooses, goats, buffaloes, elephants, horses, felines, cattle, canines, tigers, and rodents; 2) Amphibians including frogs, turtles, and toads; 3) Aquatic creatures such as crabs and fish; 4) Reptiles, notably snakes; 5) Small invertebrates comprising insects like crickets, cicadas, termites, caterpillars, aphids, bees, ants, beetles, spiders, flies, and larvae; and 6) avian species, including chickens, ducks, and birds.

According to “Lanna Proverbs”, dogs are the most frequently referenced animals, with 31 instances. Consequently, 22 proverbs refer to buffaloes, 20 to fish, 19 to elephants, and 18 to insects. The study also investigates the symbolic significances of the selected animal categories, with a particular emphasis on organisms that are closely associated with the Lanna people's lifestyle, subsistence, and behavioral values. The list includes the following animals: dogs, buffaloes, fish, elephants, flies, termites, bees, cows, birds, poultry, rats, cats, snakes, mongooses, toads, larvae, and horses.

The research categorizes the perception of animals into three distinct viewpoints. Primarily, 1) Animals from Lanna proverbs play the role of both draft animals and natural animals. The inherent function of animals includes both domesticated and wild species. Buffaloes and cows are essential to the Lanna lifestyle, and utilized for agricultural and economic activities. With regard to untamed or natural animals, the Lanna people regard fish as a symbol of abundance in terms of food resources. Similar to tigers, fish also rely on nature for their survival. Additionally, tigers and snakes necessitate careful handling due to their potential threat to humans. Moreover, in order to preserve the equilibrium of the natural world, certain entities must coexist and rely on one another, while others must be antagonists. Examples encompass the mongoose and cobra, toads, and termites, along with larvae and birds. Secondly, the Lanna people perceive animals as manifestations of cultural beliefs. The Lanna people perceive elephants as majestic and powerful, frequently symbolizing sanctity and prosperity. Finally, the Lanna perspective often parallels animal behavior with human conduct. This encompasses domesticated animals such as dogs and cats, avians such as chickens, and other organisms like rats, flies, termites, bees, and horses.

The Passing Wind: Reading-only Text, Unfit for Adaptation

2025-01-07T13:14:01+07:00

This article aims to propose that the novel The Passing Wind (Lhom Pad Paan Daow) by Wor. Vinijchaikul inherently demands to be experienced through "reading" alone. The text stands out for its profound exploration of the complex emotions tied to love, such as deep affection, loneliness, emptiness, confusion, jealousy, hurt feelings, misunderstanding, and more. The novel captivates readers primarily through the emotional depth of its main characters, rather than through plot twists or suspenseful events that provoke curiosity. These qualities render The Passing Wind suitable exclusively for reading. Visual storytelling mediums such as drama and film face limitations in fully conveying the intricate emotional layers of the novel. Moreover, adapting the work into moving images diminishes the unique essence of the text, which explains why the television adaptation of The Passing Wind was unsuccessful. This article seeks to argue that, in this era of multimedia adaptations—ranging from literature to moving images and vice versa—not all works are equally adaptable. Creative works inherently possess distinct characteristics and limitations. Some are best appreciated through reading, others through watching and listening, while some lend themselves to a variety of approaches.

Unfading Figures: The Elderly’s Use of the LINE Application for Old School Friends’ Gatherings in the Virtual Community

2025-01-24T18:32:00+07:00

This article studies the behaviors of 6 Bangkokians aged over 75 who use the LINE application as their virtual community. It aims to answer the following questions: 1) How did old school friends reunite in the virtual community? 2) What are their behaviors when in the virtual community? 3) How does the virtual community affect these elderly people? In-depth interviews and non-participant observation were used as data collection methods. The findings are as follows: 1) This group of old school friends, consisting of those who were in consistent contact with friends and those who lost contact for some time, reunited in the virtual community because the class president added them on LINE; 2) Their virtual community usage behaviors comprise the sharing of information, video clips, and photographs, conversations on current events, and the sharing of collective memories of the living and late community members; 3) Participating in the virtual community has positive effects on them, namely loneliness reduction, moral support provision, and additional information reception while it negatively causes health problems and extra expenses.

Transnational Migration for Education of Chinese Students: Policy and Cultural Dimensions in Chinese Society

2025-01-09T16:47:19+07:00

Migration for educational purposes has become an ongoing phenomenon in Chinese society. This article analyzes the conditions influencing the migration of Chinese students to study abroad by employing documentary research methods. Data were collected, analyzed, and interpreted from academic documents, statistical information from Chinese government websites, and social media posts of Chinese students about the pressure to Marriage and Family Formation, as disseminated in Chinese online media. The research results reveal that educational migration in Chinese society began in the 1870s, with elite Chinese students receiving government scholarships to pursue studies in the United States. Currently, the number of Chinese students studying abroad has significantly increased, accompanied by greater diversity in terms of age, gender, and educational levels. Additionally, destination countries and fields of study have also diversified. Studying abroad is linked to national development, China's role in the global society, Chinese education policies, and social and familial pressures regarding marriage and family formation, which adhere to longstanding cultural practices in Chinese society. This study emphasizes that cultural conditions play a significant role both in driving migration. Therefore, the conceptual framework for studying educational migration must not overlook the cultural dimension.

The Path of Sound: Habitus and Capital Accumulation in Sound Design

2025-03-31T10:18:55+07:00

This article aims to study the learning process and capital accumulation of sound designers in the creative industry through Pierre Bourdieu's framework of practice, capital, habitus, and field. The research employs a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews of 11 sound designers to explore their experiences, career paths, and factors influencing their skill development. The study found that capital accumulation is a continuous and diverse process that occurs both within and outside formal education systems. Key types of capital include ‘cultural capital,’ which consists of knowledge from formal education and self-learning, skills gained from continuous practice and tool usage, and experience from real-world work and problem-solving. ‘Social capital’ creates career opportunities through industry networks, while ‘symbolic capital’ refers to reputation and recognition in the field, such as awards and collaborations with leading studios. Lastly, ‘economic capital’ includes income and assets that can be invested in equipment or skill development to produce high-quality work. The learning and capital accumulation of sound designers reflect the role of habitus, a framework of ideas and practices shaped by social context. Meanwhile, the creative industry's field influences professional standards, work methods, and career opportunities. However, sound designers are not solely determined by field structures; they can adapt and carve their own paths by using new technologies and innovations, challenging traditional views on capital and practices in the sound industry. This study's findings can inform policies to support sustainable careers for sound designers, enabling them to adapt effectively to future technological and labor market changes.