Phra That Phon Thong
| Native Name | พระธาตุโพนทอง, ព្រះធាតុផុនថុង |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Phra That Phon Thong Yai, Phra That Phon Thong Noi |
| BA# | T41006 |
| Size | Medium |
| Condition | Ruin |
| Type | Temple |
| Location | |
| Commune | Nong Na Kham |
| District | Muang Udon Thani |
| Province | Udon Thani |
| Country | Thailand |
| Coordinates | 17.35500, 102.88597 |
| History | |
| Material | Laterite |
Phra That Phon Thong (พระธาตุโพนทอง - Pronounced: Praa Taat Pon Tong)
This site, situated aside the main Udon to Sakhon Nakhon highway, features a rounded but hexagonal-based stupa sited on what the Fine Arts Department has identified as a Khmer-period square laterite platform. The stupa itself was constructed in Lan Xang times using recycled laterite blocks. The base - orientated approximately 85-degrees - possibly corresponds to vestiges of the original Khmer structure although a quantity of mortar suggests the platform itself may also have been a reconstruction. In either case, the volume of large laterite blocks visible today would seem to suggest a reasonable-sized pre-existing site. A smaller, rectangular ruin - also in large laterite blocks - may represent an unrenovated feature. (There are reports of a second smaller structure which we're unable to locate.)
The stupa and associated structure may correspond to 2 separate Fine Arts Department listings, Phra That Phon Thong Yai and Phra That Phon Thong Noi, although we're not certain of this. What is certain however is that the site was formerly more extensive and sections were lost during the recent enlargement of the aforementioned highway.
Of course, it's tempting to speculate that the modern highway, linking to the important Khmer-period region of present-day Sakhon Nakhon, corresponds to an ancient transportation route. In which case, further conjecture could be made as to the role of a Khmer laterite shrine aside said route but unfortunately, it would appear the site is now too damaged to provide any answers.
Map Location
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Nearby Sites
- Ban Chai
- Ban Kho Noi
- Ban Kluai
- Ban Phang Ngu
- Boran Sathan Non Sim
- Muang Nong Han
- Nong Phang Ngu
- Nong Yai (Khon Sai)
- Phra That Phon Thong
- Phrathat Don Kaew
- Prang Ku Kaew (Udon Thani)
- Sa Khrai
- Sabaeng
- T41014
- T41019
- Wat Maruekhathayawan
- Wat Matchim Buri Siri Mahaputthaniwas
- Wat Pa Srang Khae
- Wat Samakkhi Bampenphol
- Wat Sang Khao
- Wat Yotha Nimit (Udon Thani)
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References