U Thong Attractions
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U Thong
U Thong is situated 135 km (84 mi.) north-west of Bangkok on the edge of the central plain; in the north-west is the impressive backdrop of the Burmese mountains. It had its heyday as the first capital of the Dvaravati kingdom and cultural center of the Khmer empire. An original artistic style, especially in the field of sculpture, developed.
By car: from Bangkok highways 4 and 338 to Nakhon Pathom, then 321/324 (100 km (62 mi.)).
By bus: from Bangkok and Suphanburi.
By rail: nearest station Suphanburi (30 km (19 mi.)).
The history of U Thong stretches back to the early Stone Age (finds of tools). According to a Chinese source U Thong was the capital of the Funan kingdom (1st-6th c.), the oldest continental empire of south-east Asia. When it split up the earlier vassal state of Dvaravati gained independence. It is more or less certain that U Thong was also the first capital of this kingdom, although in the 11th c. it came under the rule of the ever expanding Khmer. After renewed independence King U Thong transferred his residence in 1350 to Ayutthaya and assumed the name King Rama Thibodi I (ruled 1350-69).
U Thong is situated 135 km (84 mi.) north-west of Bangkok on the edge of the central plain; in the north-west is the impressive backdrop of the Burmese mountains. It had its heyday as the first capital of the Dvaravati kingdom and cultural center of the Khmer empire. An original artistic style, especially in the field of sculpture, developed.
By car: from Bangkok highways 4 and 338 to Nakhon Pathom, then 321/324 (100 km (62 mi.)).
By bus: from Bangkok and Suphanburi.
By rail: nearest station Suphanburi (30 km (19 mi.)).
The history of U Thong stretches back to the early Stone Age (finds of tools). According to a Chinese source U Thong was the capital of the Funan kingdom (1st-6th c.), the oldest continental empire of south-east Asia. When it split up the earlier vassal state of Dvaravati gained independence. It is more or less certain that U Thong was also the first capital of this kingdom, although in the 11th c. it came under the rule of the ever expanding Khmer. After renewed independence King U Thong transferred his residence in 1350 to Ayutthaya and assumed the name King Rama Thibodi I (ruled 1350-69).
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U Thong Museum
The U Thong Museum displays sculptures from the U Thong Period. Also on displays are early Stone Age implements, 4th and 5th C reliefs, and pieces from the Dvaravati period.
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