Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri SirindhornBiography Room

Ceramic Museum

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Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri SirindhornBiography Room

The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre (Public Organization) conducts and promotes social and cultural studies, collections, and data analysis. We essentially place emphasis on the data of Thailand and various other countries in the region of Southeast Asia. We set up and support research as well as data development networks. We manage data and information in order to encourage knowledge building. In addition, we are a source of research and information dissemination to the public through numerous involved persons.

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Ceramic Museum

Ceramics have long been regarded as significant archaeological evidence representing the evolution of humans since prehistory. They reflect the ideas, beliefs, old community cultures, and ancient cities of Thailand.

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Ten Museum Enthusiasts Exhibition: Experiences and Efforts

For more than a decade of work, one of the SAC’s work concept is to provide an open space for museum workers and enthusiasts to relay their experiences and exchange ideas with different expressions and methods.

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Local Southern Museum Festival: Southern Thailand Under His Graciousness

The local museum project is one of the projects that the SAC has continuously prioritized for more than a decade, especially providing space for museum workers and enthusiasts to gather and exchange insight and experiences in Museology and to assist cooperation of museum workers within the regions. With the objective to establish ties, enhance skills and stability for museum workers.

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Photography Competition Exhibition: Colours of Culture

Photography exhibition from the photography competition in the higher education category with the topic “Colours of Culture” on the 6th August 2002.

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Photography Competition Exhibition: Women and the Thai Way of Life

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Seasons-Subsistence Photography Exhibition

The photographs that are displayed in this exhibition are from the field research of American anthropologist, Prof. Michael Moerman. From his field research in the Tai Lu community at Ban Phaed, Chiang Ban Sub-district, Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province, during 1959-1986. Even though the photographs were taken back then, but as the years went by, […]

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Books of the Kingdom Exhibition

His Royal Majesty the late King Rama IX studied in Lausanne, Switzerland. From primary school to undergraduate at the University of Lausanne from the Department of Law and Political Science. His Royal Majesty was well versed in English, French, German and Latin. His Royal Majesty earnestly studied Thai while growing and was proficiently elegant in […]

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Contemporary History of Southeast Asia (At Random)

This online exhibition focuses on the presentation of lives, fates and relations of people of Southeast Asia after the Second World War. With general historical events, from religious and ethnic unrest, tragic catastrophes, to cultural heritage disputes.

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Ethnoarchaeology Exhibition

Is a research of observing and recording data of ethnicity in various societies. Usually small communities compared with archaeological data that emphasize the links between the past and present, to recreate a picture of society and culture of communities of the past through archaeological findings. The SAC understood the significance of the presentation of comparative […]

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Thai Sociocultural Evolution Exhibition

Society and Culture of Thailand has evolved for thousands of years. In the borders of present day Thailand, multiple cultures have settled here since prehistory. Besides sociocultural development of communities, there were cultural integration and exchange between communities in contemporary Asia and Southeast Asia, or known as “Usa-kane”. Such as the communities in present day […]

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Her office is the village and among the citizens

“…I consider traveling in this wide world – both domestic and international
is an opportunity for me to study nature and society
Even though one’s live is infinitely small compares to that of nature, mountains, seas and rivers
I will spend the time we have to the best of our ability – to learn, to serve the society and the country I live in…”

Citizens have become familiar seeing images of Princess Sirindhorn traveling for works to various places both domestically and internationally. Mostly an area with citizens. Her Royal Highness is interested in the way of lives and cultures of different ethnic groups. She has eyes for details, is curious and always make records in her personal diaries with enthusiasm. These habits are the crux of anthropology, understand, empathize, and develop.
Le Ton Ku Karen, of Bucha Reusi sect, Tak province

“…For the livelihood in Tak province, there is Te Long Ku village, whose transportation is not accessible, and household income is likely 4000 Baht per year per family. Some may say they are poor, but that doesn’t seem to be it -because they appear to have just enough. They have food in the area, and does not actually need that much money. The village respects the sage (Rue Si). Before they go anywhere, they would go pray to the sage, or discuss with him which option is the best. If they have assets, they would share it – they all hold precepts, but are not Buddhist…” (excerpts from the field note of Princess Sirindhorn)

Princess Sirindhorn has aimed to establish a Karen Learning Center at Ban Mor Talua, Mae Chan subdistrict, Aum Pang district, Tak province, focusing education management using the philosophy of ‘faith and wisdom,’ the children and youths must have faith, being respectful to the sage, to elders, to their parents. One should live a life according to the sage’s teaching, along with continuing in education for better career and quality of life.
Mala Bree people, Morgan people (or Tong Lueng ghost group)

Princess Sirindhorn has aimed to established a Mala Bree Cultural Center, which would be under the protection of Phu Fah Patana Centre. This was because it was recognized that Mala Bree is the last wild tribe living in the northern part of Thailand. Prior to the establishment, there were a research on the local community, with Mala Bree youths being assigned as a researcher, collecting historical and cultural data from their parents in all angles. There are efforts pushing for their own written language.
Southeast route and China, India

The rote Her Majesty studied and traveled on shows “Thai Root,” the connected cultural linkage between the ethnic groups in southeast Asia region, which becomes a long history and integrated with India and China. This enables for a unique characteristics of ‘southeast’ locals, transferrin the wisdom heritage through various culture forms: food, attire, accommodation, medicine, diseases, languages and performance…Having recorded on the difference between ethnics and relationships between countries in details. This was done through the late His Majesty’s book and photographs, serving as a channel for great historical knowledge, reflecting the root of wisdom and culture of people in different countries. All this demonstrate that she is indeed an anthropological princess.
South-east Asia route, China and India

“ Another point, I have always felt that being a princess grants me advantages that others do not have, from comfort, respect, kindness from others, knowledge and countless assistance. It’s always easy to contact others. There are benefits for being born into a family where my father, mother, grandparents, all have done great services to the country. The fruits fall to the children as mentioned above. Therefore, I should use this benefit to do goods for others.

Expanding out for development is something fun and challenging. If there is a question and various obstacles, one must attempt to find an answer, a solution. It may take a long time before it can be cracked. Being able to get out and develop helps opening my horizon. I learn and gain experience, as well as seeing beautiful scenes, similar to seeing a masterpiece by a great artist in a museum …“

(A statement on development from Princess Sirindhorn)
Dong Son Culture or the culture during Samrid era, Vietnam

“..For the exhibition in this department, he is trying to create an image of the life at that time with information from images, carves on the bronze drum. The era was called Dong Song and metal tool era, such as the rice scythe, bronze bowl, and is approximately 3,000 years ago. At that time, there were rice harvests and farms.There were images of rice husks, of farmers and ceremonies for prosperity…“ (from Anam Sawammitr)
Carabao Culture, the Philippines

The term ‘Carabao’ itself in Tagalog means ‘Buffalos,’ which Filipinos consider the symbolic animal of the nation, as it represents labor workers who fought hard, persistence and tough – similar to labor workers who construct the world. Philippine Carabao Center was therefore established, along with Carabao Festival, as the animal has importance in the Philippines’s rice harvest culture
Wayang Gulit culture, Indonesia

The Wayang gulit is a puppet performance using puppets made from leather, using lights and shadows to produce images on the screen. The puppets are made using young buffalos’ skin, cut into shapes and make into patterns. The face of the puppet would made sideway, with the body in diagonal, and the feet facing the same side as the face of the puppet (similar to Talung puppet).This was a performance art of Java since ancient time, reflecting depths in history, philosophy, integrated culture between Hindu and Muslim.
Peranagan culture,Malaysia and Singapore

Peranagan or Baba Nyonya (Chinese: 峇峇娘惹, Pinyin: Bābā Niángrě, Hokkien: Bā-bā Niû-liá) is a group of half Malaysian-Chinese with combined culture that results in a new form of culture. The best components of both parts were integrated, such as attires, food, architecture. These can be commonly found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore as well as a few southern provinces of Thailand.
Anthropology with Princess Sirindhorn

From Princess Sirindhorn’s ambition and determination to embed within Thai people a sense of curiosity in history, to be enthusiastic in understanding ‘the root of history,’ the origin of the nation, the pride of their own unique culture, allows them to withstand and remain modest among the people of different ethnic and religious, using the power of ‘faith and wisdom,’ to create a community that is strong and lasting.

Therefore, Princess Sirindhorn gives great importance to anthropology, cultural and social science, and other related fields, such as history, linguistics, archaeology and art history. She has mentioned that Thailand need to have a centralized center for information on this field – to assist academics and general enthusiast.
Morgan, Morglan people, and Urak La Woi people, Ra Wai beach, Phuket province

Princess Sirindhorn has aimed to establish a project for conservation of culture and livelihood of Lay people, in form of cultural conservation and quality of life development to Lay people who were affected by the Tsunami. Chaipattana foundation created a ‘Fiber glass Ga Bang Chaipattana ship for Morgan family, Pannga province.’

Early Ban Chiang black pottery with carvings is approximately 5,600 – 4,500 years old. Most of the pottery in this era is in black, with round bottom and low base. The top of the container is decorated with carved shell and imprinted patterns. The lower half is decorated with rope patterns.
Early Chiangkan clay pottery of 3^rd period is approximately 4,000 – 3,500 years. It is one of the historical evidence in Banchiang, discovered at Nong Han subdistrict, Udon Thani province. In this period, there were potteries with straight or almost straight sides, and potteries decorated with a rope pattern over the entire piece. The neck sits straight with a round bottom.
Special clay pottery decorated with rope patterns, imprinted by a large rope. The pattern is rough, similar to that of an elephant skin. It was found in a plateau with undulation, Ban Chai Mongkol excavation site, Ta Kli district, Nakorn Sawan province, and was approximately 4,500 - 3,500 years old.
Special clay pottery decorated with rope patterns as found in a plateau with undulation, Ban Mai Chai Mongkol excavation site, Takli distrct, Nakorn Sawan province, was approximately 4,500 - 3,500 years old.
A clay pottery in the form of those pottery found in the plateau with undulations, 1^st period, is approximately 4,500 - 3,500 years old. It was found at Ban Chon Takian and Ban Sab Dee Pli excavation site, Sra Bot district, Lopburi province.
A clay pot or jar decorated with curve patterns and imprinted patterns of a wood tired with ropes. It was approximately 3,500 – 2,700 years old, and was found in a plateau with undulations. The area is along the northern east-southern west direction, between Sumrong district, Lopburi province and Ta Kli district, Nakorn Sawan province.
Clay pottery with a weaving pattern is one form of the clay potteries found in the plateau with undulations, 2^nd period has its shape and decoration done by a new technique. The pottery was approximately 3,500 – 2,700 years old, and were found at Ban Mai Chai Mongkol, Ta Kli district, Nakorn Sawan province
Cattle-shape clay pottery (imitation) was one of the pottery found in the plateau with undulation, 2^nd period. It was found at Ban Chai Mongkol excavation site, Ta Kli district, Nakorn Sawan province. The pottery has a shape and decorations done by a new technique. It is approximately 3,500 – 2,700 years old.
The clay pottery with red patterns from the early period the late Ban Chiang era is approximately 2,300 – 1,000 years old. The pottery has high holder with a wide opening. It is decorated with red patterns on a soft color surface. The color used for drawing is called ‘Din Ted’. The pattern is mostly geometric, squares, circles, curls and shell.
Clay roller discovered only in Ban Chiang, were found in large numbers at the late Ban Chiang culture. It could be assumed that the roller was used to make patterns on the fabric or the clay pottery. The roller is dipped in red color, then the wood or the metal is plug into the hole through at the rollers’ head or tail. Press it on the fabric or the container. Furthermore, the clay roller may be use as a seal, an accessory, or a charm. This is because the clay roller was found embedded in the chest bones buried in the cemetery.
Special clay container of approximately 2,700 – 2,300 years old was a clay pottery found at the plateau with undulations, 3^rd period. The opening shape varies. Exterior is polished. It was assumed that the pottery is used for fish fermentation, discovered at Ban Pu Nok Yoong excavation site, Tak Fah district, Nakorn Sawan province
The clay seal with an image of the young god is one of the archaeological evidence of south-east Asia region. It is approximately 2,000 years with an image of a man presented, Phra U-Torn with large stomach, holding a bag of money. At the back, there are silver and gold pots on his left and right respectively Ku Wei god is the secondary god in the sect that worships Phra Siva or Saiva Nikai of Phram-Hinduism religion. He protects the assets in in the earth, and the king of giants. He brings wealth and prosperity to those who worship him. It is a charm of traders, merchants and traveling Indians of the past who cross the ocean to settle in Suvhannabhumi region for greater trading fortune in a new world.
Clay lantern from Tavaravadee period, and was identified to be between the 10^th – 17^th Buddhist century. It was made using a rotary and burn at a temperature lower than 1,100 degree Celsius. The art itself was believed to have been inspired by Indian art and developed into a format of itself. IT was discovered commonly in central region province around Chao Phraya river basin.
Brown coated clay container is a contemporary Cambodian pottery found in Burirum, and was identified to have come from between 16^th – 19^th Buddhist century. Coated container was made for daily usage and to demonstrate a social status, as well as responding to beliefs, ceremonies and religious beliefs that Cambodia took from India and passed on as an influence to Thailand.
Brown coated clay Tao Chang jar is thick and heavy, which is a special characteristics of contemporary Cambodian pottery decorated with carvings. It was found in Burirum, and was identified to be between 16-19^th Century.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri SirindhornBiography Room

Ceramic Museum

Ten Museum Enthusiasts Exhibition: Experiences and Efforts

Local Southern Museum Festival: Southern Thailand Under His Graciousness

Photography Competition Exhibition: Colours of Culture

Photography Competition Exhibition: Women and the Thai Way of Life

Seasons-Subsistence Photography Exhibition

Books of the Kingdom Exhibition

Contemporary History of Southeast Asia (At Random)

Ethnoarchaeology Exhibition

Thai Sociocultural Evolution Exhibition

Her office is the village and among the citizens

Le Ton Ku Karen, of Bucha Reusi sect, Tak province

Mala Bree people, Morgan people (or Tong Lueng ghost group)

Southeast route and China, India

South-east Asia route, China and India

Dong Son Culture or the culture during Samrid era, Vietnam

Carabao Culture, the Philippines

Wayang Gulit culture, Indonesia

Peranagan culture,Malaysia and Singapore

Anthropology with Princess Sirindhorn

Morgan, Morglan people, and Urak La Woi people, Ra Wai beach, Phuket province