Ancient Khmer Culture in the Mun River Basin: A Study in Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima

The Sung Noen District in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, is home to numerous archaeological sites that reflect the cultural and social development of ancient communities in the Mun River Basin. This article explores the historical progression from the Dvaravati culture of the 7th–10th centuries CE to the influence of the ancient Khmer Empire in the 11th–13th centuries. Emphasis is placed on the role of the ancient state of Srijanasa, the religious significance of temples such as Muang Kaek and Non Ku, and the integration of Hindu-Buddhist practices in the region. Additionally, the reclining Buddha image at Wat Thammajak Semaram recognized as the oldest sandstone reclining Buddha in Thailand is highlighted as a key symbol of Dvaravati heritage. Through architectural analysis and historical synthesis, the article showcases Sung Noen as a cultural crossroads that absorbed and transmitted religious, political, and artistic influences from both local and imperial powers in early Southeast Asia.