History of Ayutthaya - Misc

MUEANG U-TAPHAO (เมืองอู่ตะเภา)

(The moat around Mueang U-Taphao)

(Wat U-Taphao within the ancient settlement)

Text, photographs and maps by Tricky Vandenberg
Updated March 2016

Mueang U-Taphao was located in Ban Dong Mueang of Muang Wan Sub-district in
Nong Saeng District of Saraburi. It was a Dvaravati era settlement established in an area
inland of the former 8,000-7,000 years old shoreline.

U-Taphao was a moated settlement with a rampart surrounding the site. It dates back to
the 6th - 11th centuries. The settlement was likely connected to the Dvaravati Sea shore via
a waterway, in the same way as Khu Bua, U-Thong and Nakhon Pathom.

A part of the moat in the south is a waterway, today called Khlong Ban Khok Klang. The
latter must have been a distributary from the young Pa Sak River at earlier times. During the
first Millennium, this canal likely led to the Paleao-shore line, at a time that the area of
Ayutthaya was still a swamp largely influenced by the tide of the gulf.

Excavations in situ revealed boundary stones, glass beads, pottery, bronze ornaments and
other artifacts.

Within the settlement is a monastery called Wat U-Taphao situated with a small ordination
hall in Early Ayutthaya style and a chedi in front of its entry (east). 75 percent within the
moated area is field. There is a 75 x 75 m square pond. Some houses are situated north of
the temple. On the premises of Wat U-Taphao is a small museum with a number of objects
excavated in the area. On the premises of Wat U-Taphao is a small museum with a number
of objects excavated in the area.

Mueang U-Taphao is located in geographical coordinates: 14° 26' 24.13" N, 100° 50'
6.33" E.