Nakhon si Thammarat is an ancient oity in Southern Thailand with evidenoes of civilization in religion, arts and culture, Archaeological objects include stone weapons, indigenous grotto wall painting and one-faced bronze drum confirm the belief that human settlements in this land date back in thousands of years.
According to Indian history Nakhon Si Thammarat was once called Tarmporn ling. Tamalingkharm or Tarmpornlingaesnan whereas in Ceylonese legend it was called Chawaka, Siritharm Nakhon or Sitharmarat. Ancient Chinese used to name this town Tangmaling, Holing or Tanmaling connoting its location which used to be a famous seaport where foreign traders came for bartering and trading their products. Through intermarriage with indigenous dwellers, Indian people had settled there a long time ago and brought with them progress in literature, religion and ceremonial practices which still linger till today. The influences of Bhramin religion was brought into this area along the coastland and extended inland to Amphoe Tungsong following the settlement of Indians around B.E. 8th.
During B.E. 14 th - 16th, the power of Sriwichai Empire had extended to cover this area with the inception of the Mahayana Buddhism at Muang Chiya then expanded to Tarmpornling and further to the edge of the Malayan peninsular, Around B.E. 17th - 18th Tarmpornling became more powerful and its leader Phra Chao Sridharmasokaraj was crowned King and graciously established Pathumwong or Patamawong Dynasty with its empire covered all southern towns up to Malaya peninsular. At that time Nakhon si Thammarat had a close relationship with Lanka or Ceylon and the Lankawong Sect of Buddhism was brought in to the extent that it bore great influence upon the local dwellers. Budhism was so flourished right there that at one time there wer as many as 12,000 Buddhist monks. |
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