Thammasat University

Terrain

General Condition

Located on the Chao Phraya River east coast Within the area of ​​Rattanakosin Island, inner Bangkok It is currently a higher education institution. A replica of archaeological evidence is displayed at Multipurpose Building 2 and in front of the Faculty of Political Science.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Chao Phraya River

Geological conditions

Holocene sediments (Holocene)

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

History of Thammasat University

Thammasat University (2521) was established on June 27, 1934 with the name at the beginning of the establishment "University of Thammasat and Politics" (TU). This university was born from the initiative of Professor Dr. Pridi Banomyong (Minister of the Interior. at that time)

foreseeing that higher education At that time there was Chulalongkorn. Only one university When the change of government to a democratic system in 1932, the nation urgently needed a person with knowledge of law, governance and society to serve the nation. therefore proposed the university bill Thammasat and Politics, B.E. 2476 in order to teach in such subjects. When the Act passed the House of Representatives A university inauguration ceremony was held on June 27, 1934 by the Regent as the opening ceremony. and Professor Dr. Pridi Banomyong was appointed as the university's first important person. (And the only important person of the university because later the name and position were changed to the President.

The philosophy of establishing a university appear according to the speech of Professor Dr. Pridi Banomyong reported to the Governor Instead of him are as follows:

"...University is like a pond, curing the thirst of the people. Applicants seeking knowledge which is the right and opportunity that he should have According to the principle of freedom of education..."

For this reason, Thammasat University and Politics Therefore, it is the subject market and is the first open university in Thailand. by giving rights to those who previously studied in schools.

Secondary School Graduate Law And it is open to those who are civil servants, members of the House of Representatives, sub-district representatives, teachers, and lawyers. It appears that in the first year, there were 7,094 applicants.

There are two subjects that are offered:Bachelor of Science Program which mainly teaches law but also taught political science, economics and diplomacy. After completing a bachelor's degree in Thammasat, they may pursue a master's degree. It is divided into law, political science, economics and diplomacy. Another major is Accounting, with a three-year course for a certificate in accounting (equivalent to a bachelor's degree) and a five-year course for a certificate. Advanced Accounting (equivalent to a master's degree)

From the vision of Professor Dr. Pridi Banomyong, those who do not have the opportunity to study until the university have graduated with a degree and obtained a diploma to serve the country. politically Many ministries, departments, business circles and freelancers

for the location of the university For the first time, use the former law school building at the foot of the Phanfa Phipop Leela Bridge. Later, on April 9, 1935, the university asked to buy land in the area of ​​Tha Prachan, which was formerly a military site. and renovate the original building as well as build a dome building (meaning wisdom and acumen) money to buy land, including The construction was obtained from money at the university. collect from the application fee and tuition fees (20 baht per person per year). In addition, the university later established the Asian Bank. to be a place for accounting students Use it as an internship too.

In 1938, the university set up a preparatory school with a 2-year course to accept those who wish to continue their studies. at university Thammasat and Politics directly The Preparatory School offers intensive language courses in Thai, Pali, English, French and social subjects such as philosophy, technology, music, typing and shorthand. The degree has a total of 8 editions until the year 1947, therefore it has been cancelled.

On November 8, 1947, the junta seized power to rule the country. Due to the political and administrative reasons of the coup d'etat, the university was affected. and was changed from the original An important person of Pridi Banomyong University had to take political exile to live abroad. The name of the university was removed from the word "Politics" and changed to "Thammasat University". The Bachelor of Science in Thammasat study program was changed to Law, Political Science, Economics, Commerce and Accounting. The subject market is gone. According to the Thammasat University Act, B.E. 2495

In 1975, Professor Dr. Puey Ungphakorn was the rector, he believed that education should be expanded. science in class Bachelor's degree increases because science and technology play an important role in the change and development of society as well as existing social science courses. Thammasat Tha Prachan area with an area of ​​about 50 rai, not enough for expansion academic and development The university therefore negotiated to use the land in the Industrial Estate, Ministry of Industry, with an area of ​​approximately 2,400 rai at Rangsit to meet the expansion. of the next university Thus, Thammasat University was expanded to Rangsit, called Thammasat University, Rangsit Center, which has grown and developed until the present. In addition, it has been expanded to Thammasat University, Lampang Center and Thammasat University. Pattaya Center on the basis of cultivating the spirit of Thammasat, such as the spirit of Thammasat Tha Prachan

Important places within Thammasat University, Tha Prachan, such as the Dome Building, the main auditorium, the Pridi courtyard, the Pho courtyard, the football field, which are not only important to the university It is also important to the history of Thai politics.

Archaeological evidence

Within an area of ​​50 rai of Thammasat University, Tha Prachan, at present, it used to be the Na Palace or Bowon Sathan Mongkol Palace since the beginning of Rattanakosin.

The wall of the Bowon Sathan Mongkhon Palace when first built in 1782 was probably a wall with poles, later changed to a brick wall with plaster finish in 1785. The original wall was surrounded by roads. The moon passes in the middle of Sanam Luang up to Ratchadamnoen Nai Road and returns west along Rajini Road to the Chao Phraya River at Tha Chang Wang Na, which is the area where Thammasat University is. Bangkok National Museum Sanam Luang in the North National Theater Volunteer Monument Bunditpatanasilpa Institute Because the palace was built facing east according to the example of the front palace in Ayutthaya, the back of the palace is the side that is next to the Chao Phraya River. The octagonal roof of the canopy was made into a battle tower with 13 palace gates, a wall and a gate of the Bowon Palace. Most of them were demolished during the reign of King Rama V after the abolition of the Department of the Bovorn Palace. Some of the buildings in the area of ​​the Bowon Palace were demolished to expand the Sanam Luang area, the area that is now Thammasat University. It was the location of the Royal Regiment until in 1933 Thammasat University was established and politics was established in 1934, so the ownership of the Regimental land was transferred to Thammasat University, the area of ​​the Bowon Palace in this part. It was the site of Thammasat University until now, the rest of the walls of Bowon Palace on the south side have been used as part of the university wall.

Inside the Bowon Sathan Mongkhon Palace (Wang Na) in the past, the area is divided into Intermediate Royal Court Area Outside the Middle Royal Court Area and the inner court area, with each floor of the royal court having its presumed territory, including:

- The outer court area covers the present area of ​​Bunditpatanasilpa Institute. National Theater, Bangkok Municipal Government Club and the road in front of the National Theater

- The central court area covers the present area of ​​the Bangkok National Museum

- The Inner Palace area covers the current area of ​​Thammasat University. Tha Prachan

Archaeological excavations at Thammasat University Occurred from the university to build a new building on Tha Prachan campus, the university therefore encouraged the archeology work under the Thammasat Library Building Project and the 60-year Thammasat Building Construction Project (multipurpose building and canteen) within Thammasat University. Tha Prachan, Phra Nakhon District, due to historical documents, it was found that the area of ​​Thammasat University used to be the site of the Bowon Sathan Mongkhon Palace (Front Palace).

Important archaeological evidence includes:

1. The Great Wall of Phra Nakhon during the reign of King Rama I 1Bovorn Sathan Mongkhon Palace has a palace wall around all four sides if the west side uses the city wall as the palace wall. From archaeological excavations, the western wall of Rattanakosin (the wall adjacent to the Chao Phraya River) has been found in the present library area. The western wall of Bangkok that was found stretched from the library along the north in a line almost parallel to the Chao Phraya River until the front of the Faculty of Political Science. It was found that during the reign of King Rama 5 the city wall was demolished. and build a military barracks in front of the Faculty of Political Science at the Phra Nakhon wall that was found with the construction techniques from the lowest floor to the top floor as follows:

1) Dig a long hole at the bottom of the entrance exam. Then nail the piles of sela wood together along the line.

2) Place the bricks on the clay soil by alternating the short side and the long side, 2 bricks at a time.

3) Filling with broken bricks and crushed bricks into a layer of 30 cm thick, then leveling the soil surface of the broken bricks and crushed bricks until smooth.

4) Place the bricks in the same imperfect condition as the bricks on the bottom layer.

5) Fill with broken bricks, crushed bricks, like the ground floor, and smooth the surface.

6) Take bricks thinner than the first 2 layers and arrange them by arranging the ridges, alternating width and length, 4 bricks at a time, as well as the entire line.

7) Fill it up with one more layer of broken bricks and crushed bricks, smooth the surface, and then place another third layer of bricks, the height of the foundations of the Bangkok walls that are found, are approximately 1.5 meters high. Rama I should be approximately 3.6 meters high (compare the city wall at Phra Sumen Fort, Mahakan Fort and the city wall in front of Wat Bowonniwet).

2. Barracks building in the reign of King Rama III 5Archaeological excavations in front of the Faculty of Political Science building have found the foundation of a brick building, 11 meters wide, at a depth of 60 centimeters from the soil surface. The length of the building cannot be determined from the review of old maps and documents. Historians have assumed that the vestiges of the buildings found were infantry barracks. And later, during the reign of King Rama VI, there was a building reinforcement or repair and was changed to the 4th Infantry Battalion until 1935 - 1936, Thammasat University and Politics were established. therefore demolishing the buildings that used to be in the original area and construction of university buildings over the excavation site

3. Cannons and cannonballs, cast from iron, found at the fort's gate, amounting to 9 barrels, 1.20 meters deep from the ground surface, are muzzle-loading cannons. One sample cannon in perfect condition, measuring 154 centimeters in length from the muzzle to the stern, and 31 centimeters in diameter at the rear of the gun. The ammunition found is in good condition. Found both hollow and solid.

4. The wreck that was found was quite damaged. It is approximately 3.30x14.80 in size. meters, it is assumed that the complete size of the boat will be 20 meters in size and is the ship used in the affairs of the Wang Na military during the reign of King Pinklao The Royal Navy shipyard in Wang Na before.

In addition, in 2020, Thammasat University renovated the underground power lines along the same road in front of the Dome Building, Faculty of Journalism Library. and language institute By excavating the soil in a long line, approximately 1.1 meters wide, 42 meters long, found traces of ancient sites, antiques, buried under the concrete floor. Found important archaeological evidence (Phatthawan Phongsilp 2020) including:

- Line of ancient monument No. 1, which is a base of small bricks, mortared and plastered, parallel to the road in front of the dome building. It is assumed that it is connected to the wall of the front palace built during the reign of Kali 4, which has found evidence from archaeological excavations. In the area where Thammasat University Library was located in 1997

- Archeological site No. 2-3, looks like a large brick building base, but has been disturbed by human activities today. leaving behind unclear evidence จากการศึกษาของผู้ขุดค้นพบว่าพื้นที่บริเวณนี้เคยเป็นที่ตั้งตำหนักฝ่ายในของวังหน้า แนวโบราณสถานนี้อาจเป็นฐานอาคารของฝ่ายในวังหน้า