This guide covers the history and art of the early Kingdom of Sukhothai, which was situated in the fertile Yam River basin of north-central Thailand and comprises the cities of Sukhothai, Si Stachanalai and Kamphaeng Phet. Renowned for artistic achievement in the mid-thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, influences from earlier inhabitants of the area and neighbouring kingdoms were overlaid with Theravada Buddhist ideas from Sinhalese culture to create a unique style that is recognized today as 'classic' Thai art. As well as providing an in-depth survey of over 80 temples in the three sites and highlighting the masterpieces from related museums, author Dawn Rooney discusses the art and architecture of the period, with a special section on ceramics. The author takes the reader on a journey to the early Kingdom of Sukhothai and explores the remains and cultural heritage of this sacred site. AUTHOR: Dawn Rooney has lived and worked in Thailand for 30 years and is an expert in Southeast Asian Art. She has a PhD in ceramics. 395 colour illustrations

The Present Book, Thai Art With Indian Influences, Studies The Subject In Its Different Spheres. As A Major Pioneering Scholar In The Field, Dr. Promsak Jermsawatdi Possesses An Extraordinary Background In Art History, Aesthetics And Asian History And Philosophy. This Fascinating Study Is One Of His Finest Works Which Will Continue To Be Regarded As One Of The Most Significant Contributions To Our Understanding Of Thai And Indian Art For A Long Time To Come. Divided Into Five Chapters, The Book Takes Into Account Material From The Earliest Archaeological Finds Through The Bangkok Period Including The Early Art And Craft Works. Most Of The Study Deals With Thai Art But India And The Peripheries Of South East Asia Are Covered Where They Reflect Indian Influences. The Focus Of This Study Is Upon Architecture, Sculpture And Iconography. However, It Also Encompasses Other Aspects Of Art And Crafts. Background Information On The History And Geography Of The Area Is Also Provided Along With Philosophical Religious And Social Insights That Are Significantly Valuable To Readers In General And Those Of South-East Asia And India In Particular.As A Student Of Ancient History And Art In India, Dr. Promsak Jermsawatdi Was Deeply Sensitive To The Beauty Of Thai And Indian Art Works. As A Result, The Illustrations He Had Selected Are Unusually Pertinent And Fitting, Comprising Some Of The Most Impressive Examples Of Thai Art. Students Of The History Of Oriental Art Could Ask For No Finer Exposition Of The History And Aesthetics Of Thai And Indian Art. The Author S Penetrating Cultural Insights Make It An Indispensable Text For All Who Plan Further Study In The Field. This Is Also A Book Which General Readers Will Read With Great Interest And Pleasure.

The authors interweave text and colour illustrations to trace the development of early Thai societies. They show how the early hunter-gatherers of the inland forest and the coastal waters came into contact with the first rice farmers, who expanded south from the middle Yangzi Valley, bringing with them the early Mon language. It was in these village communities, such as Ban Chiang, that the first bronzes were cast. New research into the copper mining area and in Bronze Age cemetries provides an understanding of how bronze was used and how it influenced prehistoric societies. A major change took place in Thailand from about 500 BC, when iron came into use. Chiefdoms developed and trade opened up to ideas and goods from India and China. It was these Iron Age chiefs who laid the foundations for the civilization of Angkor and Dvaravati states which contribute to the origins of the modern kingdoms of Thailand.

Ancient Southeast Asia provides readers with a much needed synthesis of the latest discoveries and research in the archaeology of the region, presenting the evolution of complex societies in Southeast Asia from the protohistoric period, beginning around 500BC, to the arrival of British and Dutch colonists in 1600. Well-illustrated throughout, this comprehensive account explores the factors which established Southeast Asia as an area of unique cultural fusion. Miksic and Goh explore how the local population exploited the abundant resources available, developing maritime transport routes which resulted in economic and cultural wealth, including some of the most elaborate art styles and monumental complexes ever constructed. The book’s broad geographical and temporal coverage, including a chapter on the natural environment, provides readers with the context needed to understand this staggeringly diverse region. It utilizes French, Dutch, Chinese, Malay-Indonesian and Burmese sources and synthesizes interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives and data from archaeology, history and art history. Offering key opportunities for comparative research with other centres of early socio-economic complexity, Ancient Southeast Asia establishes the area’s importance in world history.

Situated at the periphery of both South and Southeast Asia, the maritime frontier of Burma (Arakan, Lower Burma and Tenasserim) has long been neglected area of study. In spite of its location at the outskirts of powerful Asian polities such as Taungngu Burma, Ayutthaya and Mughal India, it served as an important cultural and commercial crossroads connecting all the regions surrounding the Bay of Bengal. For the first time in Burmese studies, this volume explores the interactive elements of Coastal Burma's civilization by bringing together a unique array of scholars, both historians and art historians, both anglophones and francophones, both South Asianists and Southeast Asianists. The result is a creative and colorful pastiche that pays tribute to Burma's distinctive political, cultural and commercial place in the Indian Ocean world.

Lonely Planet's Thailand is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Cook authentic dishes in Chiang Mai; rock-climb Railay's limestone karsts (or watch from the sugar-white beaches); or stay in tree-top bungalows in Kanchanaburi; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Thailand and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Thailand: Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics Covers Bangkok, Central Thailand, Ko Chang, Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand, Hua Hin, Southern Gulf, Ko Samui, Lower Gulf, Phuket, Andaman Coast and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Thailand, our most comprehensive guide to Thailand, is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Need a city guide? Check out Lonely Planet's Bangkok for an in-depth look at all the city has to offer. Going for a short break or weekend? Pocket Bangkok is a handy-sized guide focused on the can't-miss sights. Looking for just a few of the destinations included in this book? Check out Lonely Planet's Thailand's Islands & Beaches. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)