In 1983, a lower part of the statue was found which was assumed to be a lower part of a graven image of Vishnu dating from the 14th to 15th Buddhist Era leading to the interpretation that this archeological site is in Vaishnavism which is one of the sects in Hindu whose adherents worship Vishnu over other gods in Trimurti Trinity comprising Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Later in 2002, the head part and the body part of the statue were found. When put together, the statue’s iconographical features contradicted those of the Vishnu image according to traditional beliefs. First, Vishnu must be equipped with 4 hands. Second, Vishnu’s crown, specifically a missing triangle on the crown, is a defining feature of this statue.

Archeologists make a new assumption that the statue represents Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism which can be Avalokiteshvara or Bodhisattva Metteyya dating back from the 16th to 18th Buddhist era because the graven image has sculptural features reflecting the influence of Southern India such as late Pallava and Chola, and Vijaya Nakhon. Additionally, the graven image has undergone some improvements localizing its features. As a result, according to these, the Tumpung archeological site should be referred to as a Buddhist monastery rather than a place of worship based on the former assumption.
Nowadays, the Bodhisattva image is being displayed at Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum