Foundations of Early State Formation in Thailand: Insights from Key Archaeological Sites in the Lower Mae Klong River Basin

Anurak Depimai

This study investigates the foundational processes that shaped the emergence of early states in Thailand through archaeological evidence from the lower Mae Klong River Basin. Focusing on three key sites. The research traces long-term transformations in settlement organization, material culture, mortuary practices, subsistence strategies, and interregional exchange. Evidence from Khok Plub reveals increasingly complex community structures and early signs of social differentiation during the late prehistoric period. At Khok Phrik, the protohistoric occupation reflects expanding trade networks and the consolidation of ritual and administrative functions. These developments culminate in the early state-level organization represented at Khu Bua, where urban planning, religious architecture, and symbolic material culture reflect the mature sociopolitical and ideological frameworks of the Dvaravati state. The Mae Klong Basin’s strategic position linking maritime routes of the Gulf of Thailand with inland river systems played a critical role in facilitating economic intensification and cultural transmission across other regions of Thailand. By integrating spatial analysis with comparative regional perspectives, this study underscores the key factors that supported the emergence of early states in central Thailand and contributed to the broader trajectory of Dvaravati state formation.