Multidisciplinary Archaeological Insights into Thailand's Inscription Culture: A Case Study of the Wat Asokaram Inscriptions

Abstract

Thailand's inscription culture is pivotal for understanding the country's historical narrative, documenting the political, social, and religious evolution across various epochs. These inscriptions served not only as instruments for the dissemination of Buddhism but also as mirrors reflecting social structures and religious practices. Predominantly written in Thai and Pali, they bolstered the legitimacy and religious authority of rulers. By employing multidisciplinary approaches, including archaeology, philology, and natural sciences, scholars can gain profound insights into the history and culture of Thailand and its neighboring regions. The Wat Asokaram inscriptions are particularly significant, offering invaluable data on Thai culture during the Sukhothai period. They illustrate the social composition, Buddhist influences, and artistic and scribal traditions of the era, which are crucial for the preservation of Thailand's cultural heritage. This paper explores the unique contributions of inscriptions to Thai archaeological research through an integrated methodology.