Reclamation and regeneration of the ancient Baray : a proposal for Phimai Historical Park

Abstract

This project of "Reclamation and Regeneration of the Ancient Baray: A Proposal for Phimai Historical Park" aims to create a new destination for cultural tourism. It is also concerned with preservation of archeological site, objects, and artifacts, centering on the Phimai's Old Baray in Phimai Town. Phimai Town is considered to be one of most important historic towns. Phimai Town was an ancient city dating to the 11th century. Today there are traces of many layers of communities, all of them overlapping. It is also the location of the biggest Khmer Sanctuary in Thailand. Phimai town has many of the archeological sites within and in surrounding area. Of these, the Phimai's Old Baray, a water reservoir, is very important archeological site both for Phimai Town and for Thailand. Phimai's old Baray located on the south side of the town, has been dried for century and is being considered for restoration back to its original state by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand. The baray is a key element of Khmer urban planning design because it plays an important role in the water management system. Water is an essential resource for people both in the ancient time and in the present time. This project forces on the re-design of urban planning at Phimai's Old Baray. The aim is to bring back the important archeological site, Phimai's Old Baray, a step that will be advantageous to the agricultural industry for local usage. Another aim is to promote Phimai's Old Baray as a new cultural tourism attraction, and as an asset for Phimai Town by creating a conceptual link to the ancient Khmer Empire. The combination of archeological site, agricultural industry, and cultural tourism will enhance the new urban experience and cultural values of the present community and also direct to development of the community in the future in appropriate ways.