14 April 2007 (Brunei Times) – Liz Price writes about caves in Thailand’s south, including mention of some archaeological caves sites with Buddhist votive offerings in them. Such votive tablets are also found in nearby Malaysia.
Caves, temples and charms of Thai south
Phatthalung, an ancient city in southern Thailand, lies nestled among mountains with an inland sea on one side. Just north of Hatyai, the main town in the south’s major rice growing area has prospered but still maintains a quiet atmosphere and easy charm.
Phatthalung is famous for the original nang thalung or shadow play (wayang kulit), an art form still practised to this day.
The area is also renown for its cave temples. One is Wat Khuhasawan, at the edge of town, with the main chamber housing a reclining Buddha and numerous smaller seated ones.
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I managed to explore four caves in this small hill, which is actually a small outcrop at the end of the main range. Some of the caves are archaeological sites, where votive tablets from the eighth to 15th centuries have been found.
Related Books:
– Origins Of Thai Art by B. Gosling
– The Arts of Thailand by S. Van Beek
