Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing centres ruled by various indigenous and 'foreign' empires, including the Mon-Dvara-
vati, Khmer (Cambodia) and Srivijaya (Malay).
Prime MinisterPhibul Songkhram changed the name of the country in 1939 from 'Siam' to 'Prathet Thai'
(or 'Thailand' in English); it was considered an overt nationalistic gesture intended to unite all the Tai-
speaking people.
Dvaravati
The Mon dominated parts of Burma (present-day Myanmar), western Thailand and the
central plains. In the 6th to 9th centuries, the Dvaravati culture emerged as a distinct
Buddhist culture associated with the Mon people. Little is known about this period but it
is believed that Nakhon Pathom might have been the centre and that overland trade
routes and trading outposts extended west to Burma, east to Cambodia, north to Chiang
Mai and Laos, and towards the northeast, as evidenced by findings of distinctive Dvara-
vati Buddha images, temples and stone inscriptions in Mon language.
The Dvaravati was one of many Indian-influenced cultures that established themselves
in Southeast Asia at the time, but scholars single out the Dvaravati because of its artistic
legacy and the trade routes that might have provided an early framework for what would
become the core of the modern-day Thai state.
King Naresuan is portrayed as a national hero and became a cult figure, especially worshipped by the
Thai army. His story inspired a high-budget, blockbuster film trilogy,
King Naresuan,
by filmmaker Chat-
richalerm Yukol, funded in part by the Thai government.
Khmer
While the Dvaravati are a historical mystery, the Khmers were Southeast Asia's equival-
ent of the Roman Empire. This kingdom became famous for its extravagant sculpture and
architecture and had a profound effect on the art and religion of the region. Established in
the 9th century, the Khmer kingdom built its capital in Angkor (modern-day Cambodia)
and expanded westward across present-day central and northeastern Thailand. Adminis-
trative centres anchored by Angkor-style temples were built in Lopburi (then known as
Lavo), Sukhothai and Phimai (near Nakhon Ratchasima) and linked by road to the capit-
al.
The Khmer's large-scale construction projects were a symbol of imperial power in its
frontier regions and examples of the day's most advanced technologies. Khmer elements
