Some say it was built before That Luang (pre 1500s), but who really built it, nobody knows. Scholars say it was once covered in gold, and it resembles more like the ones in Chiang Mai. This is the reason why the Siamese spared That Dam when they sacked Vientiane in 1828. The Siamese army, and later the Jeen Haw scraped all the gold.
It's sad that the Lao authority have overlooked the significance of it. They let weeds and shrubs grown on.
Some say it was built before That Luang (pre 1500s), but who really built it, nobody knows. Scholars say it was once covered in gold, and it resembles more like the ones in Chiang Mai. This is the reason why the Siamese spared That Dam when they sacked Vientiane in 1828. The Siamese army, and later the Jeen Haw scraped all the gold.
It's sad that the Lao authority have overlooked the significance of it. They let weeds and shrubs grown on.
That Dam was built in Chao Souryavongsa era if figure out the age of this stupa when the troop of "HAW" stumped Vientiane, but wasn't cleared who built it because it wasn't tell or wrote in Lane xang history. History told that s That Dam was about 12 years old when The "HAW" took over Vientiane. Our history told only the HAW or JEUANG entered and stumped Vientiane and scraped all gold from That Dam and the others temples and then leave. Later That Dam was destroyed from Siam in 1828. They searched for gold by digging through center, from bottom to top was total destroyed. That Dam got left behind without remodel or rebuild since Siam conflict til 1907. New That Dam was rebuilt by people of Vientiane" SAO NOKORN VIENTIANE" in 1907. After WW2 that Dam got overlook from Laos authority until present time.
It is very embarrassing to leave That Dam to stand unneglected. It is a shameful symbol of Laos and Lao buddhism.
That is so true and not only that, it also shows that the people in this country doesn't valued something as ancient and beautiful as this black stupa.
IF LAO GOVERMENT CAN THINK OF BUILDING TIAO ANOUVONG PARK. AND IF THAT DUM WAS DESTROYED BY THAI. I THINK LAO GOVERMENT SHOULD CONSIDER OF HAVING RECONSTRUCT THAT DUM TOO. IT IS LOCATED RIGHT IN TOWN. PLEASE HELP SAVE THAT DUM.
I heard from older people that there is a dragon inside who is the protector of the city... true or not, no many person cares about this That,but it still here.
I heard from older people that there is a dragon inside who is the protector of the city... true or not, no many person cares about this That,but it still here.
THAT IS WHAT I TRY TO FIND OUT. ACTUALLY, ONCE UPON A TIME THE STORY IS ABOUT NAGA NOT THE DRAGON
NAGA THE GUARDIAN OF LAOS. WHO'S ALWAY PROTECT LAOS (LANE XANG/VIENTIANE) WHEN IT 'S IN TROUBLE. IT HAPPENS THAT NAGA ROUTE IN IS THAT SPOT WHERE THAT DUM WAS BUILT.
SO THAI......AGAIN......I'M SORRY THAI. THAI AFRAID THAT NAGA WILL COME UP TO HELP LAO. THEY TRICK LAO BUILT THE STUPA OVER THE NAGA ROUTE, TO PREVENT NAGA FROM COMING UP FROM "BARDANR"AND HELP LAO. QUOTE: THIS IS NOT CERTIFIED. JUST FOR FUN ONLY HEEHEEHAHHAH......
"Lao oral tradition holds allegorically that Laos had been defeated in 1778-1779 when the Siamese wise man, Si Thanachai, succeeded in plugging the tunnels to the naga's underground refuge."
The That dam was recovered by Siamese army in 1880s since they invated Lan Xang. The reason why Lao government does not develop it, becoz it is a simbol of Siamese.
So if you are not so stupid, think of the reason that, who will improve the simbol of thier lost.
The That dam was recovered by Siamese army in 1880s since they invated Lan Xang. The reason why Lao government does not develop it, becoz it is a simbol of Siamese.
So if you are not so stupid, think of the reason that, who will improve the simbol of thier lost.
So many people here like to talk but no thinking
Than why don't the government just demolish it and maybe build park for the children?
The That dam was recovered by Siamese army in 1880s since they invated Lan Xang. The reason why Lao government does not develop it, becoz it is a simbol of Siamese.
So if you are not so stupid, think of the reason that, who will improve the simbol of thier lost.
So many people here like to talk but no thinking
Than why don't the government just demolish it and maybe build park for the children?
It's an eyesore - if nobody cares then do something about it - just plain and simple. Perhaps, Kaisone status in its place ? Just a thought
The That dam was recovered by Siamese army in 1880s since they invated Lan Xang. The reason why Lao government does not develop it, becoz it is a simbol of Siamese.
So if you are not so stupid, think of the reason that, who will improve the simbol of thier lost.
So many people here like to talk but no thinking
Than why don't the government just demolish it and maybe build park for the children?
It's an eyesore - if nobody cares then do something about it - just plain and simple. Perhaps, Kaisone status in its place ? Just a thought
Kaisone statue instead of a park for Lao children? it is clearly shows that the children in Laos is not government's concern, how shameful that sounds.
The question I have is.... If they are going to put a park there, who's going to pay for it?? I highly doubt it, if the city of Vientiane will fork out the $$. Perhaps the korean, japanese or chinese will donate to build it.
it has been there since at least before 1800's. it's landmark why would we want to destroy it. how many landmarks that we have left that is that old. not all landmark have to looks shiny and glitter with gold.
The question I have is.... If they are going to put a park there, who's going to pay for it?? I highly doubt it, if the city of Vientiane will fork out the $$. Perhaps the korean, japanese or chinese will donate to build it.
I'm not talking about the size of Disney World, maybe a couple of swing sets, slides, seesaw, and etc... if people vote for it to be demolish.
If it's up to me, I'm pretty much with NangDarling's point of viewed.
it has been there since at least before 1800's. it's landmark why would we want to destroy it. how many landmarks that we have left that is that old. not all landmark have to looks shiny and glitter with gold.
I agree with you 100%. Like how many significant landmarks does Vientiane have? probably less than 20. A landmark like this makes our capital look more interesting. There's no need to destroy or make a complete makeover of it...
May be grow some lawn, trees and flowers around the stupa instead of a road. This can be a place for leisure and educational purposes.
This is what I've found out about That Dam from Mr. Xieng. According to him it was built around 1582 during the second invasion of Burmese troops. The main reason they built the That was to buried bones of the dead Burmese soldiers who died of starvation during reign of king Saysethathirath. He also asked us compare structure of That Dam to Burmese That date from 1530-1595.
it has been there since at least before 1800's. it's landmark why would we want to destroy it. how many landmarks that we have left that is that old. not all landmark have to looks shiny and glitter with gold.
I agree with you 100%. Like how many significant landmarks does Vientiane have? probably less than 20. A landmark like this makes our capital look more interesting. There's no need to destroy or make a complete makeover of it...
May be grow some lawn, trees and flowers around the stupa instead of a road. This can be a place for leisure and educational purposes.
They do have very well manicured landscape around the base.
This is what I've found out about That Dam from Mr. Xieng. According to him it was built around 1582 during the second invasion of Burmese troops. The main reason they built the That was to buried bones of the dead Burmese soldiers who died of starvation during reign of king Saysethathirath. He also asked us compare structure of That Dam to Burmese That date from 1530-1595.
That makes no sense. Why did the Lao people built such a large monument for their enemies? Or was it commisioned by a Burmese king, during the time when they annexed Vientiane. However the Burmese did not directly ruled Vientiane.
Other theory said That Dam was built during king Nokeo Khouman's reign, 1591-1596. The purpose was to mark the celebration of Lan Xang's independence from Burma.
I assume thatdthe Siamese soldiers built That Dam to cover the hole that Phaya Nak would come out from the underground domain to help peoples in Vientiane to fend off themselves against the Siamese soldiers. It is said that the Siamese covered that hole so that Phaya Nak could not come up to the surface.
I assume that the Siamese soldiers built That Dam to cover the hole that Phaya Nak would come out from the underground domain to help the peoples of Vientiane to fend themselves against the Siamese soldiers. It is said that the Siamese built this stupa to covered the hole so that Phaya Nak could not come up to the surface to protect Vientiane.
Still, these stories about Siamese building a stupa just to cover the Naga's tunnel entrance don't make alot of sense. That Dam was not completed in one day.
Still, these stories about Siamese building a stupa just to cover the Naga's tunnel entrance don't make alot of sense. That Dam was not completed in one day.
It doesn't make sense to me either and my speculation was that Thatdam was built for " landmark" purpose after all there is Thatkhao also, that's my conclusion.
Still, these stories about Siamese building a stupa just to cover the Naga's tunnel entrance don't make alot of sense. That Dam was not completed in one day.
It doesn't make sense to me either and my speculation was that Thatdam was built for " landmark" purpose after all there is Thatkhao also, that's my conclusion.
