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 Thailand’s
cultural heritage was influenced by ancient
India when the Indian merchants and scholars
set foot and gradually settled in Southeast
Asia some 2,300 years ago. It continued for
several centuries. Buddhist religion and popular
myth are the most obvious examples. Much of
Thailand’s royal tradition is also rooted in
Indian culture.
 Buddhism
is thought to have first come to Thailand at
Nakhon Pathom, While Indian concepts of divine
kingship first took root in the Khmer empire.
By the 6th century AD, many independent states
were flourishing in the region we now know as
Thailand. One of these was the Mon’s Dvaravati
kingdom. Mon dominance over central Thailand
has been diminished by the power of an expanding
Khmer empire. Eventually, The Khmer became so
powerful that they ruled the entire area. Only
the southern isthmus where the Srivijaya civilization
had taken root was unaffected.
 Towards
the end of the 13th century, Khmer power in
this area waned and new kingdoms dominated by
the Thai race developed, including the northern
Lanna kingdom. Beginning by nibbling away at
the perimeter of the Khmer empire at Sukhothai
and in Lanna some 700 years ago, the Thai race
later established the glorious court at Ayutthaya,
and eventually Bangkok. Over the past centuries,
many peoples, among them the Chinese, Arabs,
Malays and Westerners, have contributed to Thailand’s
cultural heritage.
Thailand’s majestic cultural heritage inherited
over the past centuries was dominated or influenced
by many kingdoms encompassing the area including
the powerful Khmer. The remains of their cultural
heritage can still be seen in many places through
out the kingdom.
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