Si Thep Historical Park

Si Thep Historical Park in Si Thep District, Phetchabun Province, is one of the most important and interesting historical sites to study in Phetchabun. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the ancient town of Si Thep a World Cultural Heritage site on September 19, 2023. It is the 7th World Heritage site and the 4th cultural heritage site in Thailand. 

Si Thep Historical Park covers ancient sites within the old town of Si Thep, which was formerly known as "Mueang Aphai Salee." It was built during the Khmer Empire's peak and is over 1,000 years old. The ancient town of Si Thep is surrounded by moats and earth dikes, covering an area of approximately 4.62 square kilometers. It is divided into two parts: the inner town, with an area of about 2 square kilometers, is almost circular with a diameter of about 1.5 kilometers and has 6 entrances. The interior is undulating, with ponds and swamps scattered throughout. Over 70 remnants of ancient structures have been found, some of which have been excavated and restored. The outer town, with an area of about 2.54 square kilometers, is rectangular, connected to the inner town, and twice the size of the inner town. It has 6 entrances and scattered ponds, with similar ancient structures found throughout.

Places of interest within the Historical Park include: 

The Tourist Information Center is a building displaying ancient structures and exhibitions about the history and archaeology of the ancient town of Si Thep. It includes exhibition halls and a bookstore and souvenir shop. 

The Archaeological Excavation Pit Building displays human and elephant skeletons excavated in 1988.

Prang Song Phi Nong consists of two prangs situated on a large laterite base, facing west. There is a single entrance. Archaeological excavations revealed lintels carved with images of Lord Shiva holding Goddess Parvati seated above the bull Nandi. The style of the lintel and door frame indicates the prangs date from the 11th-12th centuries CE, in the Khmer Baphuon style. A smaller prang was later added, with evidence of construction over the surrounding wall of the larger prang. The entrance was also sealed off, with an extension built in front and a small building constructed to the north.

Prang Si Thep is a Khmer-style architectural structure facing west, built with bricks and laterite. The lower base is constructed of laterite in a lotus-bud molding style, typical of Khmer architecture. The main body is built of brick. Excavations in this area have yielded lintel fragments from the 11th-12th centuries CE, suggesting it was an addition after the construction of Khao Klang Nai. Later, around the 13th century CE, attempts were made to renovate it, but they were unsuccessful, judging by the discovery of scattered fragments.

Khao Klang Nai is located near the center of the town and was built around the 6th-7th centuries CE. It is a rectangular structure facing east. The city plan and construction style are from the Dvaravati period, similar to discoveries in Nakhon Pathom and the ancient town of Ban Khu Bua in Ratchaburi Province. Laterite was the primary building material. The base features stucco reliefs of people and animals in the Dvaravati style. It is believed to have been a storage place for weapons and treasures, hence the name "Khao Klang" (Treasury Hill).

Khao Klang Nok is located in Ban Sa Pru, Si Thep Subdistrict, about 2 kilometers north of the ancient town of Si Thep. The name "Khao Klang Nok" (Outer Treasury Hill) originated from locals who long believed it was a large, high hill containing treasures and weapons. As there was a similar-looking ancient structure within the Si Thep ancient town called "Khao Klang Nai" (Inner Treasury Hill), this structure became known as "Khao Klang Nok." 

Khao Klang Nok is a large stupa located outside the ancient town, possibly influenced by Mahayana Buddhism's practice of building structures on high bases, resembling a mandala. It is related to Mount Thamorat, located nearly 20 kilometers west of Si Thep, which features Mahayana Buddhist carvings within a cave on its summit and is believed to be from the same era. The highlight of this ancient site is its base, which remains relatively intact and displays a strong blend of Indian artistic influences. It is considered the largest and best-preserved contemporary ancient site of its kind found in Thailand, showcasing clear artistic value. Important artifacts discovered include a Dvaravati-style sandstone Buddha statue, green in color, standing in the teaching gesture (Vitarka Mudra) with both hands, measuring 57 cm high and 16 cm wide. In summary, Khao Klang Nok is architecturally a stupa on a large base, with a ceremonial area on top. Its artistic style is clearly influenced by India, dating back approximately 1,200-1,300 years ago, during the Dvaravati period. It is closely related to the flourishing communities of the ancient town of Si Thep and Mount Thamorat.

The Shrine of Chao Por Si Thep is located inside the Saeng Ngon gate (west gate). The shrine is a place of worship for local villagers. An annual tribute ceremony is held on the 2nd-3rd day of the waxing moon in the 3rd lunar month (around February).

In addition to the aforementioned ancient sites, there are smaller ancient structures scattered throughout. South of Khao Klang Nai, a vihara built of laterite has been found. Boundary stones have been discovered near the excavation site, along with square structures from the Dvaravati period, which were later built over when Brahmanism was introduced, suggesting the inner town was originally a Dvaravati settlement with subsequent Khmer architectural additions.

To the south, a large Dvaravati-style mandapa structure has been found, which was converted into a Brahmanical sanctuary around the early 18th century CE, but the conversion was not completed, similar to Prang Si Thep. Additionally, ancient ponds, known as "Sa Kaeo" (Crystal Pond) located north of the town, and "Sa Khwan" (Auspicious Pond) within the outer town, are found. Both ponds retain water year-round and are believed to be sacred. Water from these ponds was used in oath-taking ceremonies from ancient times to the present.

Open daily from 08:00 to 16:30. 

Admission fee: 20 Baht for Thais, 120 Baht for foreigners. 

For group visits requiring a guide, please book in advance. 

For inquiries, call 0 5692 1322, 0 5692 1317.