Mae Tan Ancient City: A Nodal Hub along the Thanon Thong Chai Corridor to the Moei Basin

Naruerit Thanusilp

Mae Tan Ancient City, also known as Huai Luek Old Town, is situated along the Thanon Thong Chai Mountain Range in Tak Province, western Thailand, near the Myanmar border and the Moei River basin. Archaeological evidence from the region reveals a long sequence of human occupation, ranging from prehistoric river cobble tool assemblages on fluvial terraces to later developments of cave habitation, rock art, highland mortuary practices, and the establishment of moated settlements and Buddhist religious sites. These findings reflect adaptive strategies to a complex mountainous environment and demonstrate increasingly sophisticated social and cultural dynamics shaped through sustained interregional interactions. This study highlights the role of Mae Tan and its surrounding landscape as a significant nodal hub within upland–lowland exchange networks. By examining both physical and cultural landscapes, the research underscores the importance of the Moei River corridor as a conduit for movement, communication, and socio-economic exchange, contributing to a broader understanding of cultural connectivity in mainland Southeast Asia.