The emblematic site of Nakhon Pathom is essential for the study of the
archeology of Dvāravatī because it has provided abundant material and is well documented in Western languages and Thai (Dupont 1959; Tri 1939; Sen 2006;
Revire 2008; Hennequin 2009a). Of significant value is the pioneering work by the
French archeologist Pierre Dupont and his team. Some problems still linger with this
site, however; uncertainty persists about the precise nature and appearance of the
monument, as well as the exact provenance, dating and iconographic significance
of the four or five colossal Buddha images said to have come from here.