Name: The Ancient City
Address: 296/1 Sukhumvit Rd, Tambon Bang Pu Mai, Amphoe Mueang Samut Prakan, Chang Wat Samut Prakan 10280, Thailand
Telephone: 02 026 8800
Rating: 4.5

Thailand-shaped park with life-sized & scaled-down replicas of prominent buildings & monuments.

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Ancient City is essentially a miniature version of Thailand, showcasing scaled-down replicas of the country's most important historical sites and monuments.

Thailand in One Place

Within Ancient City, you can find over 320 acres of meticulously recreated temples, palaces, and ruins, offering a comprehensive glimpse into Thailand's architectural heritage.

Structure Count

It is considered one of the world's largest open-air museums, allowing visitors to explore Thailand's history and culture in a unique and immersive environment.

Open-Air Museum

Some of the structures are reconstructions of buildings that no longer exist in their original locations, preserving Thailand's architectural legacy.

Lost Wonders

While showcasing structures from all over Thailand, Ancient City is located in Samut Prakan, making it a convenient destination for those visiting Bangkok.

Location Significance

Ancient City serves as a valuable educational resource, providing visitors with insights into Thai art, architecture, history, and cultural traditions.

Educational Experience

The Ancient City

The Ancient City in Tambon Bang Pu Mai, Samut Prakan, is not merely a collection of replicated structures; it's a meticulously curated open-air museum offering a condensed journey through Thailand's architectural and cultural heritage. Unlike typical historical parks, it presents scaled-down versions of significant landmarks, allowing visitors to experience the grandeur of structures that might otherwise require extensive travel. A fascinating, often overlooked aspect is the attention to detail in recreating not just the buildings themselves, but also the surrounding landscapes and environments, providing a holistic sense of place. The park showcases regional variations in architectural styles, highlighting the diverse influences that have shaped Thai culture over centuries. It also features lesser-known historical sites, offering a glimpse into the country's rich past beyond the iconic temples and palaces. The floating market replica, for instance, provides a vibrant snapshot of traditional commerce and daily life.

Introduction

Lek Viriyaphant, a Thai millionaire with a passion for art and a desire to preserve Thailand's national heritage, conceived Ancient City, also known as Muang Boran, in 1963. Initially envisioning a golf course shaped like Thailand dotted with miniature historical sites, Viriyaphant shifted his focus upon realizing the deterioration of many ancient sites. This realization led to the creation of an open-air museum designed to educate and immerse visitors in Thailand's rich history, architecture, and culture.

Viriyaphant's vision manifested as a vast 200-acre park in Samut Prakan, featuring over 100 meticulously crafted structures. Some are restored original buildings, while others are scaled replicas, typically one-third the size of the originals. The park itself is shaped like Thailand, with structures positioned geographically close to their real-world locations. This design allows visitors to journey through Thai history and culture, experiencing empires and kingdoms such as Lanna, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin.

Viriyaphant also created the Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan and the Sanctuary of Truth temple in Pattaya. His goal was to provide an overview of Thai history and architecture in a single location, addressing the challenge of the numerous historical sites spread across Thailand. Ancient City stands as a testament to Viriyaphant's dedication to preserving and showcasing Thailand's cultural heritage for future generations.

Lek Viriyaphant's Vision

Ancient Siam, or Mueang Boran, located in Samut Prakan, offers a journey through Thailand's historical eras within its 200-acre open-air museum. Conceived by Lek Viriyaphant in 1972, the park replicates iconic historical sites, arranged geographically to mirror the shape of Thailand itself, providing a tangible representation of the nation's diverse heritage.

Initially intended as a golf course with miniature historical landmarks, Viriyaphant's vision evolved into an educational endeavor aimed at preserving Thailand's deteriorating ancient sites. Ancient Siam chronologically showcases architectural styles spanning from prehistoric times through the Dvaravati and Ancient Khmer periods, up to the Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin eras. Visitors can explore detailed replicas of temples, palaces, and ancient ruins, including the Grand Palace of Ayutthaya and the Phimai Sanctuary, experiencing the architectural nuances of each era.

The museum's design allows visitors to appreciate the geographical placement of historical structures, enhancing their understanding of Thailand's history. Ancient Siam serves as an immersive setting to explore Thailand’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, providing a comprehensive overview of the kingdom's historical evolution. The park integrates interactive experiences, such as cycling or riding golf carts, making it a family-friendly destination for learning about Thailand's past.

Thailand's Historical Eras

Ancient Siam, also known as Muang Boran, stands as the world's largest outdoor museum, sprawling across 200 acres in Samut Prakan, near Bangkok. Conceived in 1972 by Lek Viriyaphant, it was initially envisioned as a golf course shaped like Thailand, but evolved into an open-air museum to educate visitors about Thailand's rich history and architectural heritage. The museum park features over 100 meticulously crafted replicas of Thailand’s most iconic historical sites and architectural landmarks, arranged geographically to mirror the shape of the country itself.

Visitors can explore detailed replicas of temples, palaces, and ancient ruins from various periods, including the Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin eras. Notable replicas include the Grand Palace of Ayutthaya and the Phimai Sanctuary. The park offers interactive experiences such as cycling and golf cart rides, enhancing the family-friendly atmosphere.

Ancient Siam provides a comprehensive journey through Thailand's diverse eras, from prehistoric times to the Ancient Khmer and Dvaravati periods. The park includes a canal-side restaurant, Pavilion One, serving traditional Thai meals like Pad Thai and mango sticky rice. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Ancient Siam offers an immersive and educational experience into Thailand’s cultural and architectural history.

Open-Air Museum Experience

Ancient Siam, or Mueang Boran, stands as the world's largest outdoor museum, meticulously showcasing replicas of Thailand’s architectural heritage across 320 hectares. Founded in 1972 by Lek Viriyaphant, the park mirrors the geographical shape of Thailand, with its monuments positioned to reflect their actual locations within the country.

Originally envisioned as a golf course dotted with miniature historical sites, Viriyaphant's focus shifted to education and preservation upon discovering the deterioration of numerous ancient landmarks. Ancient Siam now features over 100 scaled-down replicas of ancient ruins, monuments, buildings, and structures. These replicas represent significant architectural styles from various periods, including the Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin eras, as well as prehistoric times and the Ancient Khmer and Dvaravati periods.

Among the notable replicas are the Grand Palace of Ayutthaya, Phimai Sanctuary and Wat Khao Phra Viharn. Lek Viriyaphant collaborated with experts and craftsmen to ensure historical accuracy in these recreations. The park offers an immersive experience into Thailand's cultural and architectural history, allowing visitors to explore the nation's heritage in a single location. The attention to detail in replicating these historical sites provides a unique educational journey, making Ancient Siam a testament to Thailand's rich past.

The Ancient City

Did You Know?

Thailand in One Place

Structure Count

Open-Air Museum

Lost Wonders

Highlights from Reviews

Location