Prasat Muang Singh

Even though the actual date of construction was unknown, as laterite was the chief building material thus it could be comfortably compared to other Jayavarman VII’s buildings or other Bayon temples found in Thailand. The dating was also aided by artefacts discovered from archaeological excavations such as buddha and bodhisattva statues. These statues are of Mahayana Buddhism and also displays Jayavarman VII’s typical styles and aesthetics. This led to a conclusion that Prasat Muang Singh was built in the reign of Jayavarman VII or the late 12th to early 13th century AD.

In the Preah Khan inscription, 23 cities were sent the statue of Jayabuddhamahanartha by the order of Jayavarman VII, some of which were the cities in the central and western part of Thailand. It is believed that Jayasimhapura in the inscription was Muang Singh.

The site was listed and declared an ancient monument in the Government Gazette no. 52, part 75, on 8 March 1935.

Archaeological excavations and restorations had been carried out by the Fine Arts Department from 1974 to 1976 and afterward. In 1986, a full excavation and restoration was operated in order to established the temple complex as Thailand’s first historical park.

Prasat Muang Singh has been fully restored. Laterite was the chief construction material, plastered and decorated with stucco which is now mostly gone. The tower was oriented toward the east.

The group of buildings were supported by a high base by which the main sanctuary is at the centre. Roofs of the main sanctuary were now lost. Library is located to the northeast of the main sanctuary. They were all surrounded by a gallery which had gopura/entrances on all four sides topped with prasat-like superstructure.

Prasat Muang Singh is located near the centre of the town of Singh (Muang Singh), which is the most westward ancient Khmer city of Thailand and of the ancient Cambodian cultural trait. It strongly displays the style of Jayavarman VII’s architecture. Henceforth, Muang Singh and Prasat Muang Singh should have its role in Jayavarman’s politico-cultural power. It also strongly reflects ways in which his interrelationship with Thailand was closer than that of other Khmer sovereign. Many scholars also believe that Muang Singh was plausibly the town of Jayasimhapura mentioned in the Preah Khan inscription which states that Jayavarman VII sent the statue of Jayabuddhamahanartha to the aforementioned town.

Local myth of Muang Singh says that there was once a Rishi who resided on the mountain called “Khao Soong Ngew Dam.” He had two apprentices named Lord U-thong and Lord Vejsuwanno. In the area of hermitage, there were a well of gold, of silver, and of acid which the rishi had forbidden them to trespass.

However, one day when the Rishi was away, the two apprentices sneaked out to play at the forbidden area. They agreed to take turn to dip into each well with one of them waiting to help the other out of the well in which Lord U-thouhg took the first turn dipping into the well of gold and of silver with the help of Lord Vejsuwanno. However, when Lord Vejsuwanno entered the well of acid and his body started to be destroyed, Lord U-thong had fled in terror.

The Rishi returned and found Lord Vejsuwanno’s remain in the well of acid. The Rishit thus brought him back to life. Lord Vejsuwanno wanted to take revenge on Lord U-Thong, he had then followed the lord who wronged him every step. However, Lord U-thong had already made a good advantage with more speed, and wherever he went he would create towns in his wake. Lord Vejsuwanno always caught on forcing Lord U-thong to abandon each town incomplete.

Eventually, Lord U-thong succeeded in building Muang Singh. Lord Vejsuwanno found that Muang Singh was a massive stronghold with fortified wall and was also well-guarded. He then tricked the guards by transforming into a bull and entering the city successfully. In his bull form, Lord Vejsuwanno devoured the guards one by one. Lord U-thong then realized that this bull was in fact his enemy and started to flee once again. However this time Lord Vejsuwanno outran and finally ate him.

ฉันทนา สุรัสวดี, “การศึกษาปราสาทเมืองสิงห์ ตำบลสิงห์ อำเภอไทรโยค จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี” วิทยานิพนธ์ปริญญามหาบัณฑิต สาขาโบราณคดีสมัยประวัติศาสตร์ บัณฑิตวิทยาลัย มหาวิทยาลัยศิลปากร, 2530.

ระพีศักดิ์ ชัชวาล, รายงานการขุดแต่งและบูรณะปราสาทเมืองสิงห์. กรุงเทพฯ: กรมศิลปากร, 2520.

ศิลปากร, กรม. ทะเบียนโบราณสถาน. กรุงเทพฯ : กรมศิลปากร, 2532.