Neolithic cultures appeared in Southeast Asia millennia ago.
1st millennium B.C.E.–15th century C.E.
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Thai Buddhist Monasteries
A Thai Buddhist monastery combines elements of the solemn and the fun, allowing it to serve a wide range of spiritual, aesthetic, and social needs.
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Wat Phra Kaew stands as an important monument that reflects the best of Thai craftsmanship and artistry since the late 18th century.
The Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
The Grand Palace in Bangkok is a royal complex filled with impressive architecture, painted murals, and arguably the most important Buddhist icon in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha.
Ban Chiang, a prehistoric archaeological site
Ban Chiang, located in the northeastern Thai province of Udon Thani, is considered the most important prehistoric culture in Southeast Asia.
Sukhothai
The great civilization which evolved in the Kingdom of Sukhothai absorbed numerous influences and ancient local traditions.
Sukhothai Walking Buddha
The creation of a walking Buddha image is a distinctive feature of Thai art in the 13th century.
The Emerald Buddha and pandemics
In the 19th century, King Rama II turned to Thailand’s protective deity, the Emerald Buddha, to stop the spread of cholera.
Ban Chiang Clay Jar
This well-preserved example of patterned earthenware dates to Thailand’s earliest agricultural communities.
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