A series of archaeological discoveries beneath a prominent Buddhist monastery near the city of Nakhon Ratchasima in northeastern Thailand, some 200 kilometers from Bangkok, is shedding new light on the region’s early religious history. The finds suggest that Wat Dhammachak Semaram and its surrounding area were of religious importance much earlier than previously believed.
The discoveries were made during work to install an underground drainage system at the monastery, which is renowned for housing a 12-meter reclining Buddha carved from sandstone that draws Buddhist pilgrims from across the country. The reclining Buddha is believed to be 1,300 years old, making it one of the oldest reclining Buddha statues in Thailand.
“At a depth of just over a meter, our team uncovered an earthenware container holding 33 bronze, silver, and gold items,” said the director of Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, Phnombootra Chadrajoti, in a public statement. “These finds are extraordinary. They offer significant insights into the craftsmanship and religious devotion of the period.” (Artnet)
The discovery unfolded in two phases. The initial phase occurred inadvertently, when construction workers unearthed a number of ornamental items, including gold rings, silver earrings, and bronze artifacts. Among them, a spiral-shaped silver earring closely resembled similar adornments found at early Buddhist sites in southern Thailand, prompting further archaeological investigation.
The second phase, conducted by archaeologists, yielded the most historically significant pieces. Among these were two repoussé plaques—metal sheets hammered into relief designs—a technique long used in Buddhist ritual art. One plaque, made of gold and measuring approximately 7.5 by 12.5 centimeters, features a seated Buddha in flowing robes, displaying the vitarka mudra—a gesture of teaching and discussion—within a halo. A small hole on one side suggests that the object may have served as a hanging ornament or ritual implement.
The second repoussé, crafted from tin, depicts a standing Buddha beneath an arch and flanked by two attendants, one of whom is believed to be the Hindu creator god Brahma. The iconography and stylistic details of both plaques align with artwork from the Dvaravati period, which spanned from the 6th–11th centuries and influenced much of central Thailand’s Buddhist culture.
A third discovery, made near the head of the reclining Buddha statue, was a compact layer of soil embedded with three thin metal sheets and plaster fragments. Because of its delicate condition, the item is still being examined by archaeologists, but is believed to be a ceremonial deposit left by worshippers.
“These finds are helping us reconstruct the religious and cultural landscape of this region during the Dvaravati period,” said a spokesperson from the Fine Arts Department. “Until now, temples such as Wat Phra Prathon Chedi in Nakhon Pathom were considered central to early Thai Buddhism. These new artifacts suggest that Nakhon Ratchasima Province also played a significant role.”
The relics are undergoing conservation and cataloging at Phimai National Museum in the nearby city of Nai Mueang. Researchers are analyzing the items in order to better understand the chronology and function of the site, particularly in relation to the broader spread of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions across mainland Southeast Asia.
Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country, with nearly 95 per cent of its population identifying with the Theravada tradition. Islam and Christianity are the two largest minority religions, with 4.29 per cent and 1.17 per cent of the population respectively. Archaeological efforts such as this one contribute to an expanding understanding of how Buddhism was practiced and adapted across the region’s diverse historical and cultural contexts.
See more
Archaeologists Unveil Rare Buddhist Relics from 1,300 Years Ago in Thailand! (Indian Defence Review)
‘Extraordinary’ Buddhist Relics Found Hidden Under Ancient Temple in Thailand (Artnet)
Ancient Buddhist relics discover in temple in Thailand (Azernews)
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