Si Thep Historical Park

Si Thep was developed from a prehistoric farming village in the Pa Sak valley approximately 2,500–1,500 years ago.[5] In the first archaeological phase (c. 4th–5th century CE), the early settlement of Si Thep occupied the inner town and there was a burial tradition with offerings related to India and communities to the central region and Moon River basin to the northeast.[6]

The second phase of occupation (c. 6th–8th century CE) was characterized by the expansion to the outer city. As the monarchy emerged, Vaishnavism took an important role in Si Thep's society, with relationships to India, Funan, Chenla, and Dvaravati cultures.[6] Si Thep was an urban Dvaravati culture center since the 6th century CE, and one of the earliest communities in Thailand that made contacts with India, attested in stone inscription K 978, written in Sanskrit with Pallava script dated to the 6th century CE. So, Si Thep was developed into an early state along with other early Southeast Asian states like Funan, Chenla, and Sri Ksetra.[7] Charles Higham reports of a 7th-century Dvaravati inscription from Si Thep that states, "In the year...a king who is nephew of the great King, who is the son of Pruthiveenadravarman, and who is great as Bhavavarman, who has renowned moral principles, who is powerful and the terror of his enemies, erects this inscription on ascending the throne." A moat enclosed 4.7 square km, while the Khao Klang Nai structure (Thai: เขาคลังใน) dates from the 6th to 7th century.[8]^{: 303, 308–309}

This phase (c. 8th–10th century CE) was the most prosperous. An irrigation system was developed, and Mahayana Buddhism influenced in art as relationships with India, Dvaravati and northeastern cities continued. Si Thep, Sema, and Lopburi sites controlled the routes in the region.[6]

During this phase (c. 11th–13th century CE), Shaivism was a great influence in Si Thep at Angkorian times, and Si Thep had relationships with Phimai in Mun River basin as Sema ceased to control the routes. Due to Jayavarman VII's policy, Si Thep lost importance and was abandoned around the 14th century.[6] Prang Song Phi Nong and Prang Si Thep were built in the 11th to 12th centuries.[8]^{: 303, 308–309}

• Khao Khlang Nai (Thai: เขาคลังใน)
• Prang Si Thep (Thai: ปรางค์ศรีเทพ)
• Prang Song Phi Nong (Thai: ปรางค์สองพี่น้อง)

• Khao Khlang Nok (Thai: เขาคลังนอก)
• Prang Ruesi (Thai: ปรางค์ฤๅษี)