Dvaravati
Kingdom, the first stage established by Mon people, flourished
in the Central Area, which now is the heart of Thailand.
"Dvaravati"
in Sanskrit language means "The consisting of doors".
This kingdom inherited Buddhism
from India.
Dvaravati craftsmen were
renowned for their stonework, excelled at a bas-reliefs. Ancient
monuments and objects of art that are found in the area were clearly
influenced by the Gupta style. Thammajak (The Wheel of the Law),
is the typical Gupta motifs of India created in Dvaravati Period.
SRIVIJAYA
EMPIRE
7-13th Centuries
Srivijaya
Empire based at Sumatra (south of Thailand) and was strong in
the southern peninsula. A Srivijaya stone inscription number
23 was found at Semamuang Temple in Chaiya district of Surajthani.
KHMER
EMPIRE (KHOM)
9-13th Centuries
The Khmer Empire,
expanded from the area of Angkor in Cambodia. Khmer cultures,
arts, and religion heavily influenced by Indian's. The characters
in stone lintels are mainly depicted Hindu and some Mahayana
Buddhist. And the bas-relief shows the god-king, or Devaraja.
The famous architecture
of Khmer style is called "Prasart Hin " (Stone Castle).
The famous lintel, "Naraya Banthomsin", was created
in the period of Khmer Empire.
