Ayutthaya's 'forgotten' temples damned by deluge

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Ayutthaya's 'forgotten' temples damned by deluge

Lesser-known historic sites in the ancient capital were severely damaged by the floods and now that reconstruction has begun they may be forever abandoned in favour of more prominent spots

Published: 11/12/2011 at 03:58 AM
Newspaper section: Spectrum

Walking down splintered side roads in post-flood Ayutthaya recently - among the rotting debris of rubbish mountains, animal carcasses and rusted motor vehicles - I sensed that the aftermath would be harsh. Homes had been destroyed. Large trees had been ripped up by their roots. Many parts of the city still remained beneath water after two to three months of flooding. My task was to seek out small deserted ruins (wat raeng) and countryside temples (wat rad), ones that few locals and tourists have ever heard of, so that I could survey the damage.

WATERY GRAVE: Left, dozens of skeletons were found at the site of a Portuguese settlement in Ayutthaya in the 1970s. Right, the burial pit as it looks now after waters inundated the area.

This personal research was the saddest academic activity I have ever undertaken. Flooding caused at least one large ruin to collapse into a mound of bricks, fresh cracks split the walls and foundations of other structures, and a centuries-old Portuguese graveyard displaying dozens of skeletons had been transformed into a swimming pool. I realised that some of these historic sites could never be repaired. Ultimately, the questions are raised: What is the value of these lesser known, non-revenue generating, ancient historic structures in a modern city that is rapidly urbanising? What importance will they have for future Thai generations?

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Writer: Ken May

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Discussion 7 : 11/12/2011 at 08:02 PM7
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johninbkk
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Discussion 6 : 11/12/2011 at 03:41 PM6
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A very good read, thanks for the article. It reminds me of Rome, where over the centuries the locals dismantled a large percentage of ancient Rome structures - even the Colosseum itself.
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suasaporn
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Discussion 5 : 11/12/2011 at 02:54 PM5
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Sorry for temples. But this article not true. He hit by bus late at night after go to bar for drink. You can prove that. I suggest you find better redactors.
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med142
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Discussion 4 : 11/12/2011 at 02:18 PM4
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I have enjoyed reading this article.Every little piece of history should be saved as they are all as equally as important to the history of a country. There are many preserving techniques out there.Just look at the mary rose flag ship. There is hope to save all the historical sites that were affected. The smaller ones can be moved. Never forget that even the small sites are history and part of a jigsaw puzzle about a countries history.
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koolbreez
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Discussion 3 : 11/12/2011 at 01:38 PM3
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This is truly a worthwhile project undertaken to record the ancient history of Ayutthaya, and the surroundings. The concern for preservation of non-revenue generating sites is honest, but is there a concern that the toppled bricks from totally ruined sites will be left just to decay back into earth? Would it not be worthwhile to initiate a project to use these ancient bricks to build another worthwhile monument in tribute to the present culture. To look in sadness at a toppled chida, or temple as a lost piece of history is commendable, but to let these perfectly good building blocks decay, and deteriorate back into the earth would be even more trajic. They should be put to good use, that could infact generate income that might preserve them. There is just as much history in their construction as there is in what they once formed.

Use them to re-form something representative of their worth as building materials. Don't let them rott away just because they no longer represent an ancient image. There is nothing wrong with using them to rebuild something worthwhile.
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mrscersei
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Discussion 2 : 11/12/2011 at 10:15 AM2
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Pretty sad to see our history being washed away
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ajarnchan
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Discussion 1 : 11/12/2011 at 09:17 AM1
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A fascinating report with many insights, thanks for sharing this piece. I am sure many of us will appreciate this country's history more, and understand it better after reading this.
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