“Explore the remains of an ancient oval city plan and a thousand-year-old moat, providing crucial evidence of a well-preserved Dvaravati era settlement in Central Thailand.”

Ban Khu Mueang is an ancient settlement of great historical and archaeological significance. The site features an oval-shaped city layout measuring approximately 650 meters wide and 750 meters long, surrounded by a single layer of moat and earthen embankment, reflecting a well-planned settlement pattern. Archaeological evidence indicates that this area was inhabited since the late prehistoric period and reached its peak during the Dvaravati culture between the 12th and 16th Buddhist centuries. This makes Ban Khu Mueang a crucial foundation in the historical development of communities in Thailand’s central river basin.

One of the most remarkable features of Ban Khu Mueang is the discovery of numerous artifacts that reflect ancient lifestyles, beliefs, and trade activities. These include fragments of Dvaravati-style pottery, colorful glass beads, clay oil lamps, and ancient silver coins, suggesting exchanges with other communities both within and beyond the region. Some of these artifacts have been preserved and displayed for educational purposes, making Ban Khu Mueang an important source of knowledge for understanding ancient societies in this area.

The landscape of Ban Khu Mueang still shows traces of former waterways connected to major rivers, demonstrating the ancient community’s wisdom in selecting settlement locations. Water management played a vital role in daily life, agriculture, and transportation. The moat and embankment not only served defensive purposes but also reflected sustainable natural resource management practiced by the people of the past.

Today, the surrounding area of Ban Khu Mueang consists of peaceful agricultural land and residential communities. Despite its simplicity, the area remains rich in historical atmosphere. Visitors can walk along the remnants of the ancient moat, which can still be seen running parallel to roads and village gardens, offering a sense of traveling back in time to the early stages of civilization along the Noi River basin.

For history and archaeology enthusiasts, Ban Khu Mueang serves as a living open-air classroom that helps illustrate the development of ancient settlements and the spread of Dvaravati culture from the upper central region to lower areas. Although it lacks grand monumental structures, the historical value hidden beneath the ground and the surviving ancient city layout hold immense importance for understanding the origins of communities in this region.

Visitors are invited to explore the traces of the past and experience living history at the thousand-year-old ancient city of Ban Khu Mueang, a valuable cradle of civilization in Thailand’s central river basin.


How to Get There

Private Car:

  • From Ang Thong city center, head towards Sawaeng Ha District. At the Huay Phai intersection, turn into the Ban Khu Mueang area using Highway 3064 as the main route.

Public Transport:

  • Take a bus from Ang Thong city passing through Sawaeng Ha, then hire a local motorcycle taxi to take you to the Ban Khu Mueang site.

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit:

  • Recommended in the early morning or late afternoon (07:00–09:00 or 16:00–18:00) to avoid the heat, as it is an outdoor exploration.

Preparation:

  • Bring a hat, umbrella, and insect repellent since much of the area consists of orchards and natural moats.

Photography:

  • If you have a drone (and permission), aerial photography will provide the clearest and most beautiful view of the oval city layout and moats.

Etiquette:

  • Respect the site and the private property of locals living nearby. Do not dig or remove anything that appears to be an ancient artifact from the area.

Admission Fee

  • Local Visitors: Free

  • Foreign Visitors: Free

Opening Hours:

  • The outdoor area is accessible daily during daylight hours.

Ban Khu Mueang

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Ban Khu Mueang, Huay Phai, Sawaeng Ha, Ang Thong, Thailand Map

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