Sa Mon

An area believed to be the precinct of an ancient palace of Kamphaeng Phet is known as Sa Mon. Situated to the north of Wat Phra Kaeo adjacent to the town wall near Saphan Khom gate, the ancient palace with its layout in rectangular shape was divided into two parts. Its inner part was enclosed with a moat running parallel to an earthen rampart built to protect its outer part. In the heart of the whole area was dug a square pond known as Sa Mon. From archaeological excavation undertaken by the Fine Arts Department, a laterite base in a rectangular shape of a building was discovered. Fragments of tiles also found in a large number in that area might be used for covering a roof of the said building which is supposed to be made of wood. Other archaeological finds include fragments of Sangkhalok earthenware, chinaware, a bronze chain for fastening a gate, etc. Presumably, the whole area enclosed with the earthen rampart was designed for residential purposes. And since it was at the heart of the town adjacent to Wat Phra Kaeo, the biggest temple of all, the said area is likely to be the palace of Kamphaeng Phet.

Ayutthaya Historical Research