Muang Krud
| Native Name | เมืองกรูด, មឿងក្រុដ |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Garuda City, Po, (CIS?), Muang Krut |
| BA# | T71010 |
| CISARK# | 4227 |
| Type | Ancient Village |
| Location | |
| Commune | Sing |
| District | Sai Yok |
| Province | Kanchanaburi |
| Country | Thailand |
| Coordinates | 14.03640, 99.29674 |
| History | |
| Founded | Late 12th - Early 13th Century |
| Builder | Jayavarman VII, Indravarman II |
| Art Style | Bayon |
| Material | Laterite |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Deity | Lokeshvara |
Muang Krud (เมืองกรูด - Pronounced: Moo-ang Kroot)
Muang Krut lies some 10kms southeast of the much better-known Khmer settlement of Jayasinghapura, or Muang Sing, and some 28 kms due west of present-day Kanchanaburi Town. As such, it undoubtedly formed a link to the late 12th-century site of Klon Do and similarly dated sites in what are now Ratchaburi and Petchaburi provinces to the south and southeast. While both Muang Sing and Khon Do are located aside the Kwae Noi River - which presumably negated the need for any land route construction - Muang Krud is located in a small valley a few kilometres north of the river.
It has been suggested, (reasonably in our opinion), that it served as an agricultural or trading satellite settlement - or even a military position - for the principal Jayavarman VII-era centre at Muang Sing. The site measures some 380m x 700m and is aligned east-west. Earthen embankments and traces of a moat are discernable to the east, south and north while the eponymously named hill, Khao Krut, forms the western limit.
The name derives from the Thai term for Garuda, Phaya Krud (or Krut), and consequently, the settlement is often referred to in English translations as Garuda City or Muang Garuda. The Garuda in question relates to a huge sandstone image unearthed here and now displayed at Muang Sing. Even lacking a head the sculpture still stands nearly 3 metres tall. The Garuda's Bayon art style provides the late 12th-century date for the settlement.
Although no standing structures are present today a small, centrally located, clump of bamboo emerging from the paddy-fields is the point of provenance of the giant statue and still reveals a small mound with plentiful laterite fragments. Despite the large surface area, no additional vestiges or tuol sites have been located, confirming the aforementioned suggestion that Muang Krud was probably a primarily agricultural and/or military site, with Muang Sing forming the region's political and religious focal point.
An alternative, and again in our opinion, plausible theory suggests that the lack of any significant ruins, vestiges or even traces of structures means that the settlement site was planned but never completed or occupied.
The excellent Thai historical website noted in our external link below provides further details, photographs, and even a video of the site.
Map Location
Image Gallery
The giant Garuda is now displayed at Prasat Muang Sing
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Historic Archive
A collection of historic photographs, artist sketches, maps etc. (Please ensure that anything you do upload is free of copyright and/or you have permission from the original photographer/artist/author to share)
Nearby Sites
External Links
Links to additional resources such as articles, websites, videos etc.
Photos, description and video of Muang Krud (English language translation available)
References