Mon Museum

Mon museum at Wat Thong Bo of Mon Ban Sao Kradong community is located at Mu 4, Tombon ฺKhanon Luang, Amphoe Bang Pa-In, Phra Nakorn Si Ayutthaya province. In the past, Mon people migrated to Thailand in Ayutthaya period through many ways such as Dan Chedi Sam Ong (The three pagodas) in Kanchanaburi province, Dan Mae Lamao in Tak province, Chiang Mai province and Uthai Thani province. Mon people lived near the river especially Chao Phraya River, Mae Klong River and Tha Chin River. The origin of Mon people, according to the elders in the village and ancient remains in Wat Thong Bo temple which is the ancient pagoda, was settle down there since the end of Ayutthaya and the beginning of Rattanakosin periods.Sao Kradong village was once called in Mon language as Kuan Prasart and Wat Thong Bo was called as Phia Prasart. It was changed into Wat Thong Bo when the time went by since the location of the village in the past was Daan Khon or the barrier where they collected tax in Ayutthaya. There was the time when the merchant junk sank around this area and the foremast floated to the front of this village. Therefore, people started calling this village as Sao Kradong (which means foremast) village or Moo Baan Sao Kradong in Thai. At present, the foremast is at Wat Thong Bo temple as an antique and the symbol of Sao Kradong village.Based on the tradition and culture, Mon villagers in Sao Kradong community are those who are strict in religion. They always observe religious precepts in Buddhist day and important days in Buddhism religion. Moreover, they participate in religious activities such as Songkran festival, the start and the end of Buddhist Lent and the festival when they offer honey to Buddhist monks. Apart from this Buddhist monks at Wat Thong Bo conserve the unique pray for funeral as they pray in Mon language. The important places and items in the temple are Wat Thong Bo Local Museum, Buddha image made from jade which is 2,000 years old, scriptures made from Laan leaves, scriptures made from ivory, scriptures made from Khoi leaves, sermon hall in a monastery, Mon style artworks and the foremast of the junk. For those who would like to gain more information, please contact TombonAdministrative Khanon Luang Organization Tel. 08-1832-2236 or Wat Thong Bo Tel. 08-9793-4033.