The Dvaravati kingdom was situated in the central part of present-day Thailand.It's capital is believed to be around the old town of Nakhon Pathom and Ampoe U-thong, Suphan Buri. The majority of its population was of Mon origin.Theravada Buddhism was predominant in the first stage, but later on Mahayana Buddhism was introduced. Dvaravati's artistic influence spread to the northeast, the north and the south.