Mueang Boran, Ancient Siam, เมืองโบราณ

Inside the Kam Yaad Palace Hall I'd like to introduce Salama my wife for 37 years. The interior wall decorated with stucco derived from Wat Nang Phaya in the old town of Muang Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai Province. The four posts have also been gilded and inlaid with mirrored mosaic. The central ceiling panel is derived from woodcarving at the Sukhothai National Museum - a wood en ceiling panel from Wat Phra Baromthat at Muang Chalieng. The mural paintings in the central chamber depict the story of The Ten Reincarnations of Vishnu as described in an Ayutthaya chronicle. The raised throne was once placed in the hall. It rose in three steps and was sheathed with gold and encrusted with precious gemstones. (It was moved to Ava by the Bur mese in 1767 A.D.).

The structure and style of roof was taken from the old pulpits and such-like furniture in the main (western) hall of Wat Phra Buddha Chinnarat, Phitsanulok Province. The roofs and roof spires are modeled after those of the Aphon Phimoke Palace within the Grand Palace in Bangkok; the roofs over the wing as well as the spire and the spired roof that rises above the central room, its double series of lotus mouldings above seven diminutive stories with their false gables and their naga eaves brackets and fascia boards, are all sheathed with tin plate, as are the roofs over the wings, the short turned posts along the four ridges, the naga barge board over the gables and even the ends of the roof purlins. The hornlike finial on the roof ridge or chaufa at the extremities of the ridge lines as well as the hall gables naga barge boards are from Wat Pho, Bangkok. The eaves brackets are those of Wat Sala Pun in Ayutthaya Province. The stucco gable panels above the palaces porches are based on the stucco gables from Wat Khao Bandai It, Phetchaburi Province. The Mother of Pearl inlaid doors and windows follow those of the mondop over the Buddhas Footprint at Phra Buddha Bat in Saraburi Province. The palace was used in many important state ceremonies. The palace hall was the room where Chavalier de Chaumont presented his credentials on behalf of Louis XIV, and of which de la Loubere, his aide, had given a vivid description. In the early Rattanakosin era, King Rama I had Indra Phisek Palace Hall modeled after the Sanphet Prasat. Unfortunately, the Indra Phisek was burnt down in a huge fire and Dusit Maha Prasat Palace was built on the same site but by a different plan. The Sanphet Prasat at Muang Boran was once used as a reception hall by His Majesty the King to welcome Queen Elizabeth II and her consort on February 11, 1972. That day is considered the official opening day of Muang Boran.

Transporting goods like sand or rice by barges was common since more than hundred years. The museum park shows some historic barges which where used long time ago. Meticulously restored golden teakwood rice-barges, transports and place along the Chao Phraya and many other rivers or waterways and canals.

The grandeur of the Ayutthaya court was reflected in the royal garden which was enlivened by the scenery and landscape of waterfalls, fountains and miniature rock formations. During either auspicious or enjoyment times, there were royal command performances of music and plays in this setting, which later gave birth to the famous genre of court drama, Lakhon Nai. Various Jataka tales, folk tales and a number of foreign classics were adapted for plays at court such as the Ramayana, Sankha-Silpchai, I-Nao and Manohra. The plays at court continued to be seen in the Rattanakosin period. The grand pavilion in Mueang Boran was specially designed and built for court performances, evidence of which may be seen in numerous ancient murals.

The floating market provides an ideal rural backdrop to the daily life of the people living on the banks of the river; especially the local life in the central plain of Thailand. The com mu ni ty relies greatly on water transportation; rivers and canals became the most important trade routes for people along the rivers. One result of their industry has been the gradual evolution of the floating food market. The lively picture of houseboats, boats carrying an assortment of goods and rice barges can be easily seen in the floating market community.

Originating in times and places where water transport played an important role in daily life, most floating markets operating today mainly serve as tourist attractions, and are chiefly found in Thailand. In Mueang Boran the construction of an antic Floating Market often is the backdrop for many national and international movie scenes.

Walking around and along the footbridges at the rebuilt Floating Market the visitors can remain a whole day to discover many of the exhibits. Most of he houses are open to visit the inside of the typical Thai style decorations.

The floating market at Muang Boran is a reflection of traditional Thai life along the river. The rivers and canals formed an important com mu ni ca tion system that brought about social integration and prosperity to the community. The people on both sides of the river are connected by bridges and walkways surrounding the community. The floating market is an example of perfect social integration. Though the people are dif fer ent in race, religious beliefs and culture, they can live in peace. As we can see, Buddhist temples, Christian churches, Islamic mosques, Chinese spirit houses and even local spirit houses stand in harmony in the same community.

The design inside the houses is not only for living but also for relaxing. It is the real art of life spending. The characteristics of Thai house have been influenced from many different factors.

A wooden carving on the outside wall of a historic Thai house. The text in Thai script rites about Thai life and worldly wisdom.

Traditional Thai houses are wooden houses which the structures are elevated with high poles, high roof, long eaves, wide veranda which can be extended. The climate of tropital country such as Thailand and the house construction should be related.

When we were visiting the area of the Floating Market no much action was seen on the canals and in front of the wooden houses. During normal working days of the week no many visitors join the tour through the open air museum. But most of the shops and restaurants were open to serve the museums guests.

Mango is used to make juices, smoothies, ice cream, fruit bars, raspados, aguas frescas, pies and sweet chili sauce, or mixed with chamoy, a sweet and spicy chili paste. It is popular on a stick dipped in hot chili powder and salt or also as a main ingredient in fresh fruit combinations. Pieces of mango can be mashed and used as a topping on ice cream or blended with milk and ice as milkshakes. Sweet glutinous rice is flavored with coconut, then served with sliced mango as a dessert. In other parts of Thaiand, mangoes are pickled with fish sauce and rice vinegar. Green mangoes can be used in mango salad with fish sauce and dried shrimp. Mango with condensed milk may be used as a topping for shaved ice.

Just above the water surface on a platform the museum visitors can order food and drinks like on a public place every where in Thailand. The guest should get the feeling being in a Thai village at the old days.

The wihan at Wat Phrao is located within the community of the floating market. It was formerly located in Tak Province, being one of the oldest monasteries in the province. The grand throne hall of the wihan is a local architectural style of Tak dating back to the Ayutthaya period. The wihan had been dismantled and laid on the ground while a new brick wihan was being constructed. Muang Boran brought the hall and reconstructed it in the floating market community. This purpose is to preserve the original local art and architecture for our future generations. The aesthetic significance of the building are the stucco motif on the portico, roof decorations, the carved wooden roof supports or Khan Tuay and the wood carving slab below the portico decorated with colorful glass which were splendidly created by the local artisans.

Like happen at a open market any where in Thailand a vendor lady shout out to sell mature mangos ready to eat immediately. She also peals and prepares the mangos for the meal.

The small boat on the rack is a typical picture every were beside the Khlongs in Thailand. People sell out a noodle soup called Kuai-Tiao Ruea. The main ingredient is the stock cooked from the blood of a buffalo or ox, spiced with Thai herbs and much chili and fixed with noodles and meatballs or pieces of liver or beef. This kind of soup always is sold out a small Thai rowboat.

Further on our walk through the market there wasn't much life during our visit. Compared with the real action on a Thai market some were in the country the market in the museum seemed to be empty - no people no customers and only a few vendors. The museum never is crowded with too many people running around but normally Thai market on public places are very busy.