Building No.1
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This building exhibits U Thong Ancient City and Dvaravati culture which shows the development of U Thong since pre-historic age until Dvaravati historic society.
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U Thong Ancestors
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| This exhibition room exhibits the development of U Thong Ancient City. In this city, evidence of living of pre-historic human-beings in agricultural society from the Neolithic period—or New Stone Age to Metal Age was found back to about 3,000 years ago. Dating back to 2,000 years, archaeological evidence was found, and it shows that U Thong was a central port for important trades between the old community in Southeast Asia and noteworthy nations at that time. There were a number of merchandise such as beads made of precious stone imported from India, Roman coins, stucco labelled Persian merchant, etc. Around the 8th -10th Buddhist Era or around 1,600 – 1,800 years ago, the evidence of Buddhist worship in u Thong was found, especially Hinayana or Theravada Buddhism. This caused a cultural change in U Thong to Dvaravati culture which is the first historic culture on the Kingdom of Thailand. |
The showcases exhibit important antiquities such as gold decorations, Dvaravati gold beads, gypsum beads, an earthen plate painted a monk holding an alms bowl, influenced by Amaravati art, considered as the oldest antiquity, influenced by India, ever found in Thailand, an earthen plate painted gods and angels, an earthen stamp, an earthen inscription, a copper inscription, Roman coins, silver coin with inscription and bronze Buddha image.
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Glorious U Thong of Dvaravati
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| "Glorious U Thong of Dvaravati" (Dvaravati Culture in u Thong) Glorious U Thong of Dvaravati exhibits the story and the importance of U Thong Ancient City as a historic city in the early age of Thailand, trading center and center of Buddhism before its civilization had extended to other contemporary ancient communities. |
| U Thong is an ancient city in the age of Dvaravati. The city plan of U Thong is ellipse, and the city is surrounded by waterway with earthen dyke. Within and around the city, there are ancient remains scattered no fewer than 20 spots. Further to the east are the locations of ancient earthen elephant kraals, groups of religious place and construction related to Brahmanism or Hinduism, doctrine of Satya. U Thong Ancient City is around the 12th – 16th Buddhist century or around dating back to 1,000 – 1,400 years ago. It is the evidence showing material and scientific prosperity in the past, influenced by the composition of local and Indian cultures, resulting in culture of “Dvaravati”. The important characteristics of Dvaravati are the city plan surrounded by waterway with earthen dyke, Theravada Buddhism, religious places built with using large bricks and unique form of art works. |
The antiquities displayed include stone sculptures of dharma wheel, bronze Buddha images, earthen Buddha images, earthen sculptures, beads, ornament, tools, architectural remains, patterns of stucco, etc. Especially, the wheel of dhamma stone with shrine and the king post which are considered the only master piece of antiquity found in Thailand.
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Building No.2
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This building showcases display permanent exhibition related to Suvarnnabhumi (the Golden Kingdom), historical evolution of U Thong, maritime trade route and U Thong, as the center of Buddhism. The exhibition is divided into 2 zones as follows
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Upstairs Exhibition Room Zone 1
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"Historical Progress of the Land of Suvarnabhumi" This zone features historic progress of the land of Suvarnabhumi which was the most important trading area of the ancient world. This area is supposed to be located in Thailand and Southeast Asia at the present time. Since the prehistoric age until the urban society and trades among ancient communities both inside and outside the city antiquities and modern media exhibition are displayed.
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Upstairs Exhibition Room Zone 2
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"Suvarnabhumi: Trade of the Ancient World" This zone exhibits maritime trading incidents from Indian Peninsula to the Land of Suvarnabhumi, dating back to around 3,000 years ago, through audio visual equipment. It shows the navigation of foreign merchants, trading route and important ports at that time, and it is believed that some of these trading routes are directly related to U Thong Ancient City.
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Downstairs Exhibition Room
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"U Thong: Center of Buddhism" This room provides an exhibition on the past time incidents dating back around 1,600 – 1,800 years ago. "U Thong Ancient City: The Dawn of Thai Civilization" was an important city in the early age, influenced by Buddhism from India. This later became the origin of Dvaravati. The evidence that Buddhism was established in U Thong Ancient City as the first place in Thailand, and this exhibits important antiquities related to Buddhism, Wheel of Dhamma stone and archaeological excavation at U Thong Ancient City using modern technique for display together with animation.
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Lao Song House
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| U Thong National Museum imitates and displays Lao Song house inside. Lao Song House has the unique home structure found among the Tai Song Dam or Lao Song, an important ethnic group living in U Thong District. |
| The Tai Song Dam or Lao Song is a Tai ethnic group, having the native lands in Laos and Vietnam. During Thon Buri and the early Rattanakosin era, Thai corps marched on Vientiane and other cities in Lan Chang (Laos), and forcibly move the Laotian and the Lao Song to Kingdom of Siam (Thailand). The Lao Song settled their houses in the area of Petchaburi, and later they gradually migrated to other provinces, including in Suphan Buri. Nowadays, The Tai Song Dam live in Suphan Buri in U Thong district, Muang district, Song Phi Nong district and Bang Pla Ma district. |
| The Tai Song Dam has their own unique spoken and written language which is used among their ethnic group. They also have their uniqueness of dressing. Indigo-dyed clothes, dark indigo to black, have been the uniqueness of dressing carrying on to nowadays. |
The Tai Song Dam have the genuine belief and worship ghosts, the supernatural and spirits of ancestors. There are also rituals and customs that carry on until nowadays such as Sen-Huan or worship of household spirits, house-warming ceremony, wedding ceremony, and funeral which are similar to those of the Chinese in some ways.
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Special exhibition on Dvaravati architecture U Thong : Assumption model
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Special exhibition on Dvaravati Dawn of Civilization of Thailand
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