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Historical Setting
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Mon and Khmer Dominance
From the 9th to the 11th centuries
A.U., the area which is now central and
western Thailand was occupied by a
Mon civilization known as Dvaravati.
The Mon race, who shared the same
linguistic lineage as the Khmers. were
later to settle in southern Burma. Little
is known about the political and social
"empire" of Dvaravati. hut it seems quite
likely lhat there were several Mon states
sharing a common culture rather than a
monolithic "empire" with a capital city.
Important Dvaravati sites in Thailand
include Nakhon Pathom, Khu Bua,
Phong Tuk, and Lawo (Lopburi). Some
superb sculptures, bas-reliefs, and other
archaeological remains survive from this obscure period of history.
Dvaravati was an "Indianized"
culture, with Theravada Buddhism
as the dominant religion, Theravada
Buddhism was to remain the major
religion in this area for the next
millennium, co-existing with animism,
Hinduism, and Mahayana Buddhism.
and its ideas and philosophy inspired
much of Dvaravati art and sculpture.
whose forms were also based on Indian prototypes.
By the 11th-12th centuries, Mon
dominance over central Thailand had
been replaced by the power of the
ever-expanding Khmer empire to the
east. The capital of this empire was the
great city of Angkor, and the Khmer
rulers were masters of atightly-organized
society with remarkable capacities for
territorial and cultural expansion. The
Khmers also controlled most of the trade
routes in the Thailand - Indochina region.
Khmer territories stretched well into
the area that is present-day Thailand.
covering the northeastern region.
much of the centre, and as far west as
Kanchanaburi Province. The Khrner
built stone temples in the; northeast,
some of which have been restored to
their former glory, notably those at Phimai
and Phanom Rung- Scone sculptures
and lintels depicting Hindu gods, stone
Buddha images in the distinctive Khmer
style, and bronze statuary. some of great
beamy, are other vestiges of Khmer
cultural dominance. Politically, however.
the Khmers probably did not control the
whole of this area directly but exerted
power through vassals and governors.
The fertile Chao Phraya River
basin had always been an area with an
ethnic mix: Mons, Khmers, and Lawas.
Towards the end of the 13th century.
Khmer power in this area waned and
new kingdoms, dominated by the Thai
race, anise. These had been influenced
by Khmer rule and culture, hut they
brought other spectacular legacies, tbe
origins of which are still a matter of
historical dispute.
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