Walailak’s Legacy: The Public Accessibility to All Significant Areas of Culture
Walailak University takes pride in providing free public access to all its significant cultural, academic, and green spaces, ensuring inclusivity and promoting learning and engagement. From the expansive Walailak Botanic Park to the Toompang Archeological Site, the university’s commitment to cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and educational excellence is evident. These open spaces, exhibition galleries, and historical sites are accessible to everyone, offering a diverse range of experiences in both natural and cultural heritage.
Toompang Archeological Site: A Public Learning Hub for Archaeology
The Toompang Archaeological Site is a valuable public heritage area, both historically and naturally, located within the area of Walailak University. It acts as a significant educational and cultural resource, providing an enriching experience with its diverse local plants and native bird species. The 12th Regional Office of The Arts Department, Nakhonsithamarat announced that the Toompang Archeological Site establishment was officially published in the Government Gazette Vol. 118, Special Issue 33Ngo, dated 9th April B.E. 2544 (2001.)
This archaeological site was excavated between 2002 and 2003, revealing four ancient brick structures enclosed by a wall, with an entrance gate located on the eastern side. Beyond the gate, two rectangular ponds are flanking the path leading to the site.
WU with the 12th Regional Office of The Arts Department, Nakhonsithamarat has a guideline for the conservation of this archeological site that is to be open to students, researchers, and the general public, free of charge across all areas, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The guided tours at the site are led by students who have completed the young archaeologist program, with tours available in Thai, English, and Chinese. Visitors can also enhance their experience by using the AR (Augment Reality) Toompang application from their smartphones or VR (Virtual Reality) gear, which provides detailed insights into the archaeological history and structure of the Toompang site.
Additionally, 3D Laser Scanner technology is employed to gather archaeological data, creating an online platform for exploring the site’s history. This initiative aims to make the Toompang Archaeological Site accessible in a modern format, adapting to the evolving social landscape. Users can access this information for free through the AR Toompang Archive Application or the website https://3d.wu.ac.th. This project is a collaborative effort involving the Center of Cultural and Sports Promotion, the Bachelor of Science Program in Multimedia Technology, Animation, Game, and the 12th Regional Office of The Arts Department, Nakhonsithamarat
During Walailak Day, the event “Ancient Land: A Journey to the Toompang Archaeological Site” was held, allowing participants to experience life in the 13th century. Visitors were transported by traditional wooden vehicles from the Thai Buri building to the Toompang Archaeological Site, passing through a replica of an ancient gate, giving them the feeling of traveling back in time to the historical land of Toompang.
The university has organized the annual merit-making ceremony for “Toompang Ancestors” for over 10 consecutive years, following the belief that the Toompang Archaeological Site was once a religious site for both Brahmanism and Buddhism. The event includes rituals from both Brahmanism and Buddhism and is open to everyone, including staff, students, and the general public. Additionally, there are volunteer activities where students and staff work together to clean the Toompang site, helping to foster a sense of responsibility in preserving this historical location.
Besides, a database of local plant species was established at the Toompang Archaeological Site, where plants are equipped with QR codes for accessing more information online. The nearby forest has been transformed into a nature study trail, offering visitors the opportunity to explore and learn about the diversity and uses of the local vegetation.
Moreover, in 2023, WU initiated the construction of the Thai Southern Arts and Culture Learning Center, named “Walailak Abode of Culture” with an expenditure of 39,996,000 baht. The project is expected to be completed by 2025. This center aims to become a premier life-long learning hub in Upper Southern Thailand, focusing on the research and dissemination of local wisdom through modern technology. It also aims to promote continuous and sustainable knowledge exchange processes in arts and culture, to be the buildings of cultural significance.
The building is primarily made of brick and has a square shape which shares the same appearance as the Toompang Archeological Site. The roof is designed by blending modern with a hip roof, a distinctive feature of Southern Thailand’s traditional architecture. The design of the surrounding walls is inspired by the walls of the ancient city of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Inside the building, there will be a museum dedicated to the Toompang Archeological Site, showcasing ancient artifacts and other valuable cultural objects. It will also feature on historical and archeological exhibition, displaying the Thai Southern way of life, traditional performances, etc. This museum will serve as a leading center for art and culture in the upper Southern region. Once the project is completed, it is believed that the long-abandoned Toompang will be transformed into a gorgeous, significant historical learning center for Thai people, researchers, and the public from all around the globe.
The Toompang Archeological Site is situated in Nakhon Si Thammarat, a region in Southern Thailand that was historically part of Srivijaya’s expansive sphere of influence. Srivijaya, a powerful thalassocratic empire between the 7th and 13th centuries, dominated trade routes and established networks across the Southeast Asian Sea regions.
The Srivijaya kingdom had strong cultural, political, and economic control over parts of what is now Southern Thailand, including the Toompang area. Srivijaya was a center of Mahayana Buddhism, and archaeological sites in Southern Thailand, including Toompang, reflect religious and cultural exchanges with the kingdom.
Artifacts found in the region often include Buddhist iconography and temple ruins that are linked to the spread of Mahayana Buddhism from Srivijaya. Toompang, with its ancient structures and artifacts, provides evidence of such cultural transmission.
The Toompang Archaeological Site is a valuable public historical and cultural heritage site of Walailak University, serving as a learning resource for youth, students, and the general public. It is free to visit for everyone. If anyone requires a young guide or staff to provide a tour of the Toompang site, they can contact the Center for Cultural and Sports Promotion, Walailak University, at 075-476572-76 during official working hours, or via the Facebook page: Center for Cultural and Sports Promotion
Walailak Botanic Park: A Public Sanctuary of Natural Heritage
Walailak University provides free access to its expansive 2,160,000 square meter botanical park, located within the university campus. The park serves as a resource for academic activities and informal education for students, researchers, and the general public. It is open to all areas at no cost, from Monday to Friday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Visitors wishing to come on holiday are encouraged to notify the park’s staff in advance.
The botanic park introduced a variety of activities for visitors, including guided tours, tent camping, SHA-compliant Bota Home & Camp accommodations, academic workshops, and drought-resistant plant greenhouses. The science and wisdom learning centers offered an electric bus service to explore educational areas like the Nepenthes greenhouse, herb garden, BOTA Banana Garden, and nature study trails. Outdoor activities such as kayaking, tree climbing, stargazing, and basic survival skills were also available, with experienced staff on hand to guide participants throughout these experiences.
The botanic park introduced a variety of activities for visitors, including guided tours, tent camping, SHA-compliant Bota Home & Camp accommodations, academic workshops, and drought-resistant plant greenhouses. The science and wisdom learning centers offered an electric bus service to explore educational areas like the Nepenthes greenhouse, herb garden, BOTA Banana Garden, and nature study trails. Outdoor activities such as kayaking, tree climbing, stargazing, and basic survival skills were also available, with experienced staff on hand to guide participants throughout these experiences.
The “Bota Market Chic & Chill” event is held weekly on Thursdays to boost local economic activities, encourage community involvement, and bring together students, staff, and nearby residents for participation
The park showcased the new global plant species in Nepenthes greenhouse, BOTA Cactus Dome, and maintains over 100 rare banana species. Walailak Botanic Park also comprises the following main areas:
1.Original Forest Area: This section provides an opportunity to observe native trees such as Gnetum, Gardenia, Xanthophyllum lanceatum (Miq.) J.J.Sm., along with a variety of local plant species. The area is open to visitors free of charge during regular working days.
2.Herb Garden: A 16,000 square meters wide garden designed to support public health education and serve as a resource for the Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, and Thai Traditional Medicine, this garden features over 200 herbal species in this natural heritage landscape of cultural significance. Informational signs provide visitors with insights into the uses and benefits of each herb.
3.The large reservoir within the 2,160,000 square meters area of the Botanic Park offers a variety of outdoor activities both on land and water. These activities include kayaking, tree climbing using a rope system, stargazing, and basic survival training in different scenarios, allowing participants to learn how to live with nature. Knowledgeable botanic park staff are available to guide and assist throughout the activities.
The Golden Manorah Yard: The Prestige Monument of Thai Southern Traditional Dance
Nestled in the heart of Walailak University, the Golden Manorah Yard stands as a symbol of unity, monuments of cultural significance, and sustainability. It’s not just a scenic gathering place but a beacon of inclusive access and responsible urban planning that resonates with Thai Southern cultural heritage.
At the center of the yard stands the Golden Manorah sculpture, a tribute to the traditional dance and art of Southern Thailand, highlighting the university’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage. The yard is frequently used for recreational activity by all individuals to foster a sense of belonging and community. The remarkable golden statue stimulates the awareness of this prestige cultural heritage in both visitors and passersby’s minds.
The space is also part of Walailak University’s larger vision to create a green campus, with the yard serving as a model for how public spaces can blend environmental stewardship with community access.
The Golden Manorah Yard at Walailak University is more than a public space—it provides inclusive access, preserves cultural heritage, and demonstrates sustainable urban design. By opening its gates to the public, WU fosters a sense of community, promoting a shared vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.
In 2023, it was found that Walailak University recorded a high number of visits to the aforementioned sites, as visitors were able to experience and learn from both cultural and natural heritage locations. A survey of visitor satisfaction revealed that 95.43% of the public expressed the highest level of satisfaction, indicating that the services provided were highly appreciated (with a score of 100 on the satisfaction scale).
Related links:
https://botany.wu.ac.th/?p=27601
https://botany.wu.ac.th/?p=30799
https://botany.wu.ac.th/?p=27748
https://dcc.wu.ac.th/walailakpark/
https://library.wu.ac.th/NST_localinfo/tumpang/
https://toompung.wu.ac.th/ประวัติความเป็นมา/
https://library.wu.ac.th/km/โบราณสถานตุมปัง/
https://cultural.wu.ac.th/tumbuntoompung
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