A former capital of Thailand, Sukhothai threw off Khmer rule to
found an independent kingdom in 1238. Over the next 120 years, the
kingdom's rulers pioneered by the brilliant King Ramkhamhaeng
established a golden age of art, architecture, religion and culture. The
capital was transformed into a city of palaces, temples, shrines and
magnificent buildings. However, it became a vassal state of Ayutthaya
in 1378, and thereafter went into decline.
Unlike Ayutthaya, the city was never destroyed, merely abandoned
until the 18-19th centuries when the early Chakri kings began to
research their historical roots and started a revival of Sukhothai. The
Thai government and Unesco carried out a massive restoration of the
old capital in the 1980s, culminating in the Sukhothai Historical Park
in 1993. The ruins evoke images of artistic greatness and serene
Buddhist piety, and the park offers a wonderful setting to study the
achievements of this great kingdom. In particular, visit the impressive
Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Chum just outside the city walls.
Si Satchanalai was a second administrative centre, subservient to
Sukothai, whose heyday was the 13-15th centuries. The Historical
Park here contain ruins of temples, stupas, old walls, shrines etc, in a
quiet setting that is a World Heritage Site. Just north of Si
Satchanalai, around Suwankhalok, hundreds of kilns are being
excavated to learn more about the wonderful style of Suwankhalok
pottery.
Loy Krathong Festival is said to have originated in Sukhothai. Each
November the Historic Park becomes the magnificent setting for a
recreation of this ancient tradition, with an impressive song and dance,
light and sound show.
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Location & Access
427 kms north of Bangkok.
Bangkok Airways operates
regular flights to Sukhothai, while
daily bus services operate via
Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok.
Geography
In the north, the province is
mostly highlands with mountains
stretching east. The centre and
south are flat and low-lying. This
old capital is situated on the bank
of the Yom River.
Borders
North : Phrae
South : Kamphaengphet
East : Phitsanulok and Uttaradit
West : Tak and Lampang
Highlights
Attractions: Sukhothai Historical
Park, Ramkamhaeng National
Park, Sri Satchanalai Historical
Park, Wat Mahathat, Wat Si
Chum, Wat Sra Si
Souvenirs: Traditional textiles,
ancient Sukhothai gold jewellery,
fried beans, kanom kreal (local
snack).
Festivals: Loy Krathong Festival
(November) |
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