The National Museum Bangkok - a Millennium of Thai History
A tour of the National Museum in Bangkok, which traces the
early Thai civilizations in the region and the history of
subsequent kingdoms, is like taking a stroll through the
corridors of time. The short tour gives the visitor an overview
of more than a millennium of history of the kingdom.
Our tour starts with the origin of early Thai civilizations in the
first section in the National Museum. There’s evidence of
civilizations dating back to the early Stone Age from relics
discovered in Lampang and Mae Hong Son in northern
Thailand and Krabi to the south.
Civilizations existing around 3,600 BC were discovered in
Ban Chiang, Udorn Thani in northeast Thailand as well
as Kanchanaburi and Chonburi. There are conflicting theories
as to where the early immigrants came from. However, there’s
sufficient evidence to show that there were civilizations in the
area for more than 1,000 years.
The next section in the National Museum covers the 7th - 13th
centuries when the Khmer empire, based in what is now
Cambodia, was at the height of its power. The influence of
Khmer culture covered the northeastern region of Thailand
and extended all the way to Lopburi in central Thailand.
Historical sites like Phanom Rung in Buriram and Phimai in
Nakhon Ratchasima are testimony to this influence.
The 13th century saw the rise of the Sukhothai
kingdom. The kingdom reached its pinnacle under the
reign of King Ram Khamhaeng from 1279 - 1298 AD.
Sukhothai not only grew in political and military stature, it was
renowned for its art, architecture and culture. It was King
Ram Khamhaeng who started the Thai alphabet.
The Ayutthaya section in the National Museum is the
most substantial. Founded by King U-Thong in 1351,
Ayutthaya was a city bounded by three rivers, the Chao
Phraya, Lopburi and Pasak. It grew rapidly and soon eclipsed
Sukhothai and the other kingdoms.
At the height of its influence, Ayutthaya was a major
commercial center with three main palaces within a walled city
with its network of roads and canals and protected by 16 forts.
Trade with China, Portugal, the Netherlands and Japan
flourished.
Ayutthaya was captured and sacked by Burma in 1569. The
city was revived in 1584 by King Naresuan. Unfortunately it
was overrun again and completely destroyed by the Burmese
in 1767. Built up over four centuries, Ayutthaya with its 34
kings from five dynasties crashed to an abrupt and tragic end.
It was left to Phraya Taksin, son of a Chinese immigrant, who
escaped the destruction of Ayutthaya to reestablish a new
capital in Thonburi. In a series of campaigns he drove
the Burmese out of Thailand and reunited the various
kingdoms.
The grand finale in the tour of the National Museum covers the
Chakri dynasty started by King Rama I in 1782 when he
established Bangkok as the new capital to restore the
former glory of Ayutthaya.
It was the dawn of a new era, Rattanakosin. After a massive
Burmese onslaught was repelled, they were never a serious
threat again. The prospect of a united Thailand with secure
borders became a reality. Under the reign of the Chakri Kings,
the next 200 years, saw the gradual emergence of a modern
Thailand.
The National Museum in Bangkok captures more than a
millennium of history of the early Thai civilizations, the rise
and fall of the various kingdoms and dynasties to the present.
It encapsulates the cultural ballast and very soul of the Thai
nation.
For more on King Taksin of Thonburi visit the National
Museum when you Tour Bangkok Legacies and
stroll through the corridors of history. The author Eric Lim, a
free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok Thailand.