Ko Pha-ngan - TourismThailand.org

80
Timeless Natural Beauty of
the Old Ban Tai-Ban Khai
Community
Ban Tai is one of the three earliest
settlements on Pha-ngan island, presumably
since late-Ayutthaya period. Chinese
emigrants, mostly Hainanese fishermen,
came to settle and work in the area, blending
with local people through marriage. Over
several generations, the village has today
become one of the largest in Ko Pha-ngan.
Traces of ancient civilization still
survive in temples, manifesting a strong
Buddhist Chinese community. There are a
lot of old temples, for instance Wat Nai,
Wat Nok, Wat Pho, Wat KaoTham, and Chinese
shrines situated across the village. It is
supposed that these religous places were
built at the very same time between late-
Ayutthaya period to early-Rattanakosin period.
Wat Nai is the oldest temple in Ban Tai
community. Built in the late-Ayutthaya
period, the now-uninhabited temple has
been included in the monastic territory of
Wat Pho in Mu 3, Ban Tai sub-district, Ko Pha-ngan district. The site reveals
archaeological evidences, in particular the three outworn pagodas, two of which have
been ruined by time that only their pedestals remain visible: One is made of coral
stone hugged by a Bodhi tree, the other is a small brick structure. The only one which
is relatively complete is a square brick cement-bounded pagoda with rabbeted
angles, decorated with Chinese ceramic crockeries. Its high pedestal has two door facades
on each of the four sides. The excavation unveiled a horde of bluewares from Ming
and Qing dynasties, leading to the hypothesis that this area was a residential
area since Ayutthaya era up to the reigns of King Rama III and IV of Rattanakosin.
Townspeople took part in building these monuments at the center of their community,
manifesting the firm relationship among Thais and Chinese living together.
81