Prang Khaek

Despite the lack of evidence, Prang Khaek should be built around the 11th century AD. considering the three main towers’ architectural style. For example, pilasters at the central corners and the triple arches in the cella which shelters the statue. These attributes can also be found in the 11th century Khmer temples which leads to believe that Prang Khaek was built around the same time.

The monument was rebuild in the reign of King Narai of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The three towers were reconstructed with bricks as well as the shrine hall (vihara) and a water supply tank. Alternatively, Asst. Professor Dr. Saritphong Khungsong, a Thai scholar in ancient Cambodia archaeology suggests that the northern tower was completely rebuilt in the Ayutthaya period replacing the ruins of the old tower.

The site was listed and declared an ancient monument in the Government Gazette no. 53, part 34, on 27 September 1935.

Prang Khaek has been restored and conserved numerous times. The first restoration was in 1951. New technology of concrete and steel was applied to the eastern wall of the central tower. The second restoration started in 1961 in order to reinforce the structure with mortar and round bars. During 1978-1979 the monument was given a meticulous restoration by which a mound covering the foundation was excavated and strengthened with concrete and steel, reconstructed derelict brickworks at the foundation and the towers, and reinforced the pilasters with ironwork. More restorations were conducted at the pediments and spires, especially new acroterion (kleab khanun) on the superstructure.

Prang Khaek comprises three brick towers in a north-east axis and face toward the east. The central tower is the highest and heaviest of the three. An excavation by Saritphong Khungsong discovered a single large rectangular foundation (Phaiti base) supporting all three towers.

All three towers share similar architectural structure and style which are a base with projections, an entrance on the eastern side whereas other three sides display a blind door, and a multi-tiered superstructure. Stucco motifs which once were adorned the buildings are mostly now lost.

Prang Khaek is the oldest Khmer sanctuary in the central region of Thailand, about 907-957 or later. Thus indicates that Ancient Cambodia had expanded their cultural, and perhaps political influences to the central region of Thailand by which Lopburi may had been the first area that was the first to submit to this cultural impact.

Miscellaneous

In his travel journal titled Raya thang sadet prabhat monthon Ayutthaya (A journey to Ayutthaya) in 1878, King Chulalongkorn described this “shrine”;

“…this shrine was also a three-towers monument, each was built separately but shared the same base. There is only single entrance, other three sides are blind door. Inside the central tower shows niches along the polished brick wall, no mortar applied the whole cella. The ceiling is of a traditional style. Fragments of decoration still remain, in a pattern of celestial motif with gold leaf. There is also a brick altar at the centre of the cella around a foot high, a half of stone base was placed on the top. It is plausibly a Shivalinga which is now lost. This monument should be the ancient site of Lopburi. There are two more buildings in the site which were built in the same style of the palace one of which was possibly a brahmin shrine for taming elephant rituals…”

The name “Prang Khaek” was a common name among the villagers for a very long time as cited in Colonel Lunet de la Jonquière’s journal written a hundred years ago.

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

สฤษดิ์พงศ์ ขุนทรง, “ปรางค์แขกเมืองลพบุรีกับประเด็นศึกษาใหม่,” วิทยานิพนธ์ศิลปศาสตรมหาบัณฑิต สาขาวิชาประวัติศาสตร์ศิลปะ บัณฑิตวิทยาลัย มหาวิทยาลัยศิลปากร, 2548.