Ban Prasat

Introducing Ban Prasat

About 3000 years ago, a primitive agricultural/ceramic culture put down roots at Bat Prasat, near the banks of Mae Nam Than Prasat. It survived for nearly 500 years, planting rice, domesticating animals, fashioning coloured pottery, weaving cloth and, in later years, forging tools out of bronze. The secrets of this early civilisation were finally revealed during extensive archaeological digs, finally completed in 1991. Three of the excavation pits (donations appreciated; 24hr), with skeletons and pottery left in situ, are on display throughout the village. A small museum (donations appreciated; 8am-4.30pm) houses some of the better discoveries and explains what life was like in those days.

Many of the houses are part of an award-winning homestay programme (per person incl 2 meals 400B), where villagers put up visitors in their homes and show them daily activities, like basketry and farming. Reservations should be made a day or two in advance through Khorat’s TAT office (0 4421 3666; www.tourismthailand.org; 2102-2104 Th Mittaphap, Khorat; 8.30am-4.30pm), or the village headman here, Khun Thiam (0 4436 7075).

Last updated: Sep 24, 2008