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The Irrigation System in the Ayutthaya Period |
The Irrigation System in the Ayutthaya Period
 Irrigation pipes found in the Ancient Palace, Pranakhon Si Ayutthaya Province
The irrigation system in Thailand first occurred in the reign of King Narai the Great with the help of France. The first irrigation system was built in Lopburi City, engineered by an Italian bishop, Dakori, and a French engineer between 1682-1684 (2225-2227 B.E.).
Although there is no clear evidence who built the irrigation system in the Ancient Palace of the Ayutthaya kingdom, it is stated in the foreign archives that the irrigation systems and fountains were widespread in the Ayutthaya kingdom between 1685-1686 (2228-2229 B.E.). Considering the time mentioned, it is assumed that the two engineers (mentioned above) took part in constructing them too.
The topography of Lopburi City was more advantageous when compared to the Ayutthaya kingdom as the reservoir was higher in position than the city which needed irrigated water. This made it easier for the water from the reservoir to gravitationally run through canals and baked-clay pipes into the water tank in the city. However, apart from the gravitation force, the water turbine was needed for the Ayutthaya irrigation system to help bail out water to the tank.
 It has not been clear what the Ayutthaya water turbine is like. Compared to the nowadays water turbine, however, there are two types of the water turbine used in the Ayutthaya period.
One is called “Luke”, found in the north and northeast of Thailand. The other is called “Rahad Chokmuay”, found in the central plain of Thailand.
It is estimated that a Dutch wind turbine may also be used at that time due to the close relationships between Thailand and Holland (now the Netherlands). Without clearer evidence, however, what it looks like has not been drawn yet.
The water turbine found in the Ayutthaya’s Ancient Palace was built in the river to bail out water to the tank for distribution later.
(From “The Irrigation System in the Ayutthaya’s Ancient Palace,” by Prateep Pengtago)
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