mountain line

Terrain

General condition

Mount Sai is a limestone mountain. The mountain is about 500 meters from the Trang River to the west. The general condition on the hill is sparse. The area surrounding him is an agricultural area. Caves and sheds with archaeological evidence are found in the western part of the mountain. The mouth of the cave faces west, at present, the area of ​​Tham Khao Sai is home to Tham Khao Sai Monastery.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Khlong Yee, Trang River

Geological conditions

Permian limestone mountains Ratchaburi Stone Group, age 245-286 million years ago (Department of Mineral Resources 2007)

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

The origin of the name of Phu Khao Sai has a legend that In the early days, Phra Borommathat Nakhon Si Thammarat was built. A group of villagers in the southern provinces brought glass, silver, gold and other valuables to join in building the relics, but when they arrived at this place, they learned that the relics were finished. Even though it was too late, the villagers put those valuables in the cave and named it "Tham Khao Sai" (Phanuwat Euasamarn 2018:123). Among those valuables included various amulets. with

Archaeological studies have found evidence of many eras. from prehistoric times, such as stone tools, three-legged cauldron pieces earthenware parts scattered inside different caves In addition, raw clay amulets were also found in the cave in the east. Age around the 13th-15th Buddhist century, is an artifact of Mahayana Buddhism, which may be evidence that during that time Mahayana Buddhists from India used the Trang River as a route across the peninsula. and come to rest in the community in this area which may be related to the nearby Trang River Basin archaeological sites such as Khao Pina Cave and Khao Nui Cave

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Prince Krom Phraya Rissaranu Wat Tiwong, when he came to inspect the Malay government, R.E. 121, visited Khao Sai. On Thursday, May 29, R.E. 121 (1902) recorded that

“...to Khao Sai at the mouth of the cave, 8 wa higher than the ground, is a steep cliff... There are 6 types of idols, namely:2. The same figure, but small in size 3. The image of a Bodhisattva sitting with two legs 4. A standing figure of a two-armed Bodhisattva 5. An image of the Buddha sitting cross-legged 6. The same figure, but there are other smaller ones who do not know what is the top seed. Are there any pieces that are broken? There is a book mark and a border that is not unique to the pattern that is clearly there…” (Phanuwat Ueasamarn 2018:123)

In 1910 (R.E. 128) His Majesty King Mongkut His Highness performed royal duties in many areas and also went to Tham Khao Sai as well. It is a national ancient site.

There is a story about the discovery of the amulet 60-70 years ago that villagers came to feed cows in the area near the cave and heard the sound of a mortar coming out of the cave. When I went in, there was no one. Found only a large number of amulets placed on rocks. therefore brought home But in the morning, it appears that the monk returned to the cave as usual. When someone else takes it, it's the same thing again, so it's called "Phra Phi Do" and is believed to be a mystical antiquities. Whoever takes it will have it.