Mueang Dong Lakhon

The ancient town of Dong Lakhon is located in Dong Lakhon sub-district, 9 kilometers south of Nakhon Nayok along Road #3076. The town was formerly called "Mueang Lablae". The name Nakhon Nayok was assigned to it in 1350 when it became a garrison town of the Ayutthaya kingdom protecting the eastern boundary. The ancient city covers two periods. In the first period, 9th - 11th century, the town was dominated by the Dvaravati culture. In the second period, the 12th - 14th century, it became under Khmer rule and pre-Ayutthaya culture. By the 14th century, the people of Dong Lakhon migrated and resettled along the rivers in Nakhon Nayok. The hill of Dong Lakhon or Dong Yai covers 6 sq. Km. Inside is an ancient town called Dong Lek, which is oval-shaped, lying rather west of the hill. This town was probably the residential area of the rulers, while the people were scattered around its center. The town was surrounded by two walls and a moat, like most towns of the Dvaravati period. Dong Lakhon might have been related to Si Mahosot Town in Prachinburi, which is only 55 kilometers away. Artefacts found around the site include broken terra cotta and blue ceramic, glass beads, stone beads, terra cotta coins, lead sheets, bronze earrings, gold leaf, gold-plated Buddha Image head, laterite stupa, bronze rings and bracelets. The artefacts are exhibited in the Prachin Buri National Museum. Legend says this city was once a secret place of Khmer queen, difficult for outsiders to get in due to the dense. During holy days local people heard classical dance music as was performed at the palaces. Hence they called the place Dong Lakhon or the "jungle of classical dance". Another source states that Dong Lakhon may have been derived from Dong Nakhon or Jungle City. The Fine Art Department has registered Dong Lakhon as a National Site on 8 March 1935.

Ayutthaya Historical Research