THE RELIC-ENSHRINING PAGODAS IN SOUTHERN THAILAND: HISTORICAL BUDDHIST ART AND CULTURAL TOURISM MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The objectives of this research included: 1) to study the history, beliefs and significance of pagodas in southern Thailand; 2.) to study the Buddhist art patterns of pagodas in southern Thailand; 3) to study Buddhist routes and activities of pagodas in southern Thailand and promotion of cultural tourism; and 4) to study the management of historical and cultural learning sources of pagodas in southern Thailand. It was a qualitative research by studying documents and interviews with 12 key informants including monks and laymen. The research results were descriptively presented. The results of the study were as follows. 1) The pagodas in southern Thailand: history,  Buddhist art and cultural tourism management, the results of the study showed that: (1) Nakhon Si Thammarat relic-enshrining pagoda has been in a long history with various legends and scriptures explaining the similar history of construction and builders i.e. King Sri Thammasokrat; (2) Phra Borommathat Chaiya is a Buddhist pagoda in the Sriwichai period. It was an ancient pagoda presumably built around 1200 B.E. It is very important as it has contained the relics of the Lord Buddha and various parts of the pagoda were built by craftsmen in the Sriwichai period. It is a great artwork with thousands years of age. Scholars assumed that it was built around 14th century of Buddhist era in the prosperous reign of Sriwichai. (3) Phra Mahathat Wat Khian Bang Kaeo, it is an ancient pagoda of Phatthalung Province. In the history of the creation of Phra Mahathat Wat Khian Bang Kaeo, it is assumed that Phraya Krungthong of the city of Varanasi was the creator. 2) The patterns of Buddhist art of pagodas in southern Thailand, the three pagodas in southern Thailand include: Phra Borommathat Nakhon Si Thammarat with the pattern of Sriwichai Buddhist art; Phra Borommathat Chaiya is a Sriwichai type pagoda; Phra Mahathat Wat Khian Bang Kaeo is a pagoda with Sriwichai art pattern. 3) The routes and Buddhist activities of the pagodas in southern Thailand and the promotion of cultural tourism, all the three pagodas in southern Thailand including Phra Borommathat Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phra Borommathat Chaiya and Phra Mahathat Wat Khian Bang Kaeo are the centers of faith among the southern people. The southern people express their faith towards the pagodas through culture, tradition and activities related to the pagodas including worshipping the pagodas, conserving and inheriting tradition and culture towards younger generations such as enshrining robes around the pagodas, offering food to monks for conveying merits to the spirits of ancestors, and water festivals. The pagodas in southern Thailand are, thus, centrally significant in cultural tourism promotion and genuine faith among the southerners. 4) Historical and cultural resources management in southern Thailand, all the three pagodas in southern Thailand including Phra Borommathat Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phra Borommathat Chaiya and Phra Mahathat Wat Khian Bang Kaeo have organized cultural learning by promoting the study of the three pagodas as significant historical resources.