There is maritime archaeological evidence from coastal Thailand dating back 2,000 years for contact between local communities and civilizations to east and west. These provide useful evidence for the existence of intercontinental trading networks well before the inhabitants of the region adopted religion and beliefs from India in the 7th Century CE, blended these with their traditional beliefs and produced written inscriptions and texts that include social stories at the beginning of what is recognized as the historical period in Thailand. The shipwrecks recorded so far include the Pak Klung Kluay, Ranong Province estimated to be 2,120-2,140 years old, the Klong Thom boat wreck, Krabi Province (1,800 years old), the Ban Khlong Yuan boat found in Surat Thani Province (1,200 years old), and Phanom Surin wreck, Samut Sakhon Province (1,200 years old). All have been scientifically studied along with associated antiquities  and provide important evidence for maritime trade connections between the local ancient ports and those in the Middle East, South India, Southeast Asia, and the South China Sea. The evidence demonstrates the connectivity between a broad diversity of communities during this period with a variety of ethnicities and beliefs, both from the west coast and the east coast having passed through or stopped at ancient ports in Thailand. There was a cultural exchange between different cultures and societies, leading to development of cities, provinces, the state and a country as present.