Muang Phai (Aranyaprathet)
| Native Name | เมืองไผ่, មឿងផៃ |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Jyesthapura, Muang Phai Ancient Settlement |
| BA# | T27019 |
| Type | Ancient City |
| Location | |
| Part of | Muang Phai (Aranyaprathet) |
| Commune | Muang Phai |
| District | Aranyaprathet |
| Province | Sa Kaeo |
| Country | Thailand |
| Coordinates | 13.68225, 102.43638 |
Muang Phai (เมืองไผ่ - Pronounced: Moo-ang Pai)
Muang Phai is the region's largest ancient settlement and one which seems to have been occupied from prehistoric times until at least the late Angkorian era. The site, situated some 7kms west of present-day Aranyaprathet, is still clearly discernable on satellite images with a moated area stretching approximately 1km east to west and 1.5kms north to south. The site is divided into 2 sections by the Muang Phai River with a concentration of vestiges in the southern section leading archaeologists to suggest that this was the 'urban' area and the northern half was predominantly agricultural.
The ancient city is located aside a key ancient route connecting Chenla sites such as Aninditapura and Purandarapura - both tentatively located in the region immediately west of Angkor - with the important early settlement of Muang Si Mahosot and the Chao Phraya Valley to the west. Muang Phai itself has also been tentatively identified with Jysethapura, another important early city mentioned in several inscriptions. (1)
The brick ruins Prasat Muang Phai I and Prasat Muang Phai II are respectively located within, and just west of, the moated area while discernable reservoir sites lie just to the east and northeast of the settlement. Several potential mound sites within, and close to, the moated enclosure await FAD investigation.
Both Dvaravati and Khmer artefacts have been recovered from the site with the latter indicating a wide period of occupation. Wat Muang Phai houses a Bayon-period statue while a reported Koh Ker-style lintel was found at Prasat Muang Phai I but has apparently since been lost.
(1) See for example Early Khmer Sites in Eastern Thailand, Mollerup, White Lotus 2012.
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