SUKHOTHAI

SUKHOTHAI

Sukhothai which literally means "Dawn of Happiness" with an area of 6,596 square kilometres, is about 427 kilometres north of Bangkok, and was founded in 1238. Sukhothai was the capital of Thailand for approximately 120 years.

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Administratively, Sukhothai is divided into the following districts: Muang Sukhothai, Sawan Khalok, Ban Dan Lan Hoi, Si Samrong, Thung Sariam, Kong Krailat, Khiri Mat, Si Satchanalai and Si Nakhon.

Si Satchanalai Historical Park


Si Satchanalai Historical Park is located on the bank of the Yom River. It is open daily between 8.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Admission is 40 baht. The ancient town, formerly called Muang Chaliang, was named Si Satchanalai during the reign of Phra Ruang when a new administrative centre was established to replace Chaliang. Ruins of 134 monuments have been discovered within the park:

Sukhothai Historical Park

Sukhothai Historical Park is located 12 kilometres from town on the Sukhothai-Tak Highway. It is open daily 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. Ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals, and the water dyke control system, which was the magical and spiritual centre of the Kingdom, are now preserved and have been restored by the Fine Arts Department with the cooperation of UNESCO, not only with a view of fostering Thailand's national identity but of safeguarding a fine example of mankind's cultural heritage.

Wat Mahathat


A sanctuary lying to the west behind the Royal Palace compound is Wat Mahathat. It is Sukhothai's largest temple with a customary main Chedi in lotus-bud shape and a ruined Wihan. Its main Buddha image (8 metres high) was installed inside a separate building. On the South stands a pedestal of a large Chedi built up in steps, the lowest platform is adorned with beautiful stucco figures of demons, elephants and lions with angles riding on their backs. Mural painting adorn this Chedi.

Wat Chana - Songkhram


Situated to the north of Wat Mahathat is Wat Chana Songkhram. Its main sanctuary is a round Singhalese-style chedi. In front of the chedi exists the base of a viharn and behind the former stands an ubosot. Bases of twelve small chedis are also visible. Near Charot Withithong Road is a strange chedi having three bases, one on top of the other.

Wat Si-Chum


The mondop is 32 metres square and 15 metres high, and the walls are 3 metres thick. There is a passageway in the left inner wall itself which leads to the above crossbeam. On the ceiling of the passageway are more than fifty engraved slate slabs illustrating Jataka scenes.

Wat Phra-Phai-Luang


This temple lies about 500 metres north of San Luang Gate (northern gate). This sanctuary, formerly a Khmer-Hindu shrine but later converted into a Buddhist monastery, is surrounded by a moat. It is second in importance to Wat Mahathat. Inside, there are three prangs like Wat Si Sawai, but the southern and the central ones have crumbled leaving only the northern one decorated with stucco figures. In front of these prangs are a viharn and a crumbled chedi; the later has a pedestal decorated with stucco seated Buddha images. A mondop contains Buddha images in four postures; sitting, reclining, standing, and walking. They are now all in ruins. A Sivalinga (Phallic emblem of Hindu gods) was unearthed in the compound of this sanctuary.

Wat Traphang-Thong


Situated to the east of Wat Mahathat is Wat Traphang Thong. The monastery is located on an island in the middle of a large pond. A ruined laterite Singhalese-style chedi is on the island. In front of it, a new mondop contains the Lord Buddha’s Footprint slab that was created by King Lithai in 1390 on Samanakut or Phra Bat Yai Hill. This footprint was removed to the new mondop some years ago. An annual fair to worship this sacred Lord Buddha’s Footprint takes place at the same time as the Loi Krathong Festival.

Wat Traphang-Ngoen


Situated to the west of Wat Mahathat is Wat Traphang-Ngoen with its square pedestal, main sanctuary, and stucco standing Buddha image in four niches. There is a Wihan in front, and in the east of the pond, there is an island with an Ubosot. This edifice has already crumbled and only its pedestal and laterite columns still remain.

Wat Si-Sawai


Situated among magnificent scenery southwest of Wat Mahathat is Wat Si-Sawai. Three Prangs (pagodas) of Lop Buri or Hindu-style and two Wihans are surrounded by a laterite wall. The ruin was once a Hindu shrine, but was later converted into a Buddhist monastery.

Wat Chang Lom


Wat Chang Lom is an important monument within the old town of Si Satchanalai. A huge bell-shaped Chedi supported by 39 elephants, with 4 of them at 4 cardinal points elaborately decorated, marks the centre of the temple. Above the Chedi's base, there are niches enshrining images of the Buddha subduing Mara.

Wat Saphan Hin


This is situated on a hill 200 metres high. A pathway of slate slabs leads to the sanctuary yard.

Wat Sa-Si

Situated near Wat Chana Songkhram is Wat Sa Si. Around a Singhalese-style chedi is the main sanctuary on an island in the middle of Traphang Trakuan Pond. A large viharn contains a stucco Buddha image. To the south stands nine chedis of different sizes.

Wat Chang-Rop
Wat Chang-Rop is situated in the Aranyik area. A Chedi is decorated with an elephant emerging from the base. A Wihan base and laterite columns are in front of the Chedi.

Wat Chetuphon


A mondop enshrines four Buddha images in different postures: sitting, standing, walking, and reclining. The outer walls of the mondop still retains a section in the form of a slate pillar-balustraded window. There is an entrance to the mondop to the north. Just behind the mondop is a small sanctuary which contains a Buddha image known locally as Phra Si Ariya Maitreya, the Lord Buddha of the Future.

King Ramkhamhaeng Monument


Situated to the north of Wat Mahathat is the King Ramkhamhaeng Monument. The bronze statue of King Ramkhamhaeng sits on a throne with a base relief recording his life.

Wat Mai
Situated to the north of Wat Mahathat is Wat Mai. The temple, having a brick Wihan as the main sanctuary, is in Ayutthaya style. The columns of the Wihan are made of laterite.

Noen Prasat
Noen Prasat is where traces of the royal palace are found. It lies in the centre of the town and is surrounded by a moat.

Sangkhalok Museum
Sangkhalok is the name of ceramic wares produced in the old city of Sukhothai. The museum displays the collection of Sangkhalok and ceramic wares produced some 700 years ago in the Lanna Kingdom (now the northern region of Thailand). The museum is just one kilometre from town on the road to Phitsanulok. It is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is 100 baht for adults and 20 baht for children.

Si Satchanalai National Park
Si Satchanalai National Park has a total area of 213 square kilometres. It covers areas in Amphoe Si Satchanalai and Amphoe Thung Saliam of Sukhothai Province. It was proclaimed a National park on 8 May, 1981.
The Park's geography is mainly high, undulating mountains by a tropical jungle. Interesting tourist sport in the park include Tat Dao and Tat Duan Waterfalls, about 3 kilometres and 500 metres from the park headquarters, respectively. The park also has a hot spring, Khangkhao Cave, and Thara Wasan Cave.

Si Satchanalai National Park can be reached by car. From Amphoe Si Satchanalai, take the Si Satchanalai-Ban Kaeng-Huai Yuak route for 41 kilometres. Then 5 kilometres before the intersection to Ban Yuak, there is a right-hand road which you take for another 2 kilometres to the park headquarters.

Celadon Kiln Site Study and Conservation Center
Celadon Kiln Site Study and Conservation Center is located at Ban Ko Noi, some 4 kilometres to the north of Si Satchanalai. More than 500 kilns have been excavated up to now. Numerous celadon wares in perfect condition as well as potsherds have been discovered. The kiln is oval in shape with a curved roof and is 7-8 metres wide.
The centre consists of 2 buildings situated on the kiln site area with 2 kilns Nos. 42 and 61 exhibited on site. There are also exhibitions on artifacts and on the evolution of ancient ceramic wares.

Sawankhaworanayok National Museum
Sawankhaworanayok National Museum is 38 kilometres from Sukhothai and 2 kilometres further on a road on the left. The museum features sculptural art from various periods; the most interesting being Sukhothai era and Sangkhalok items retrieved form sunken vessels in the Gulf of Thailand. lt is open daily except Monday, Tuesdays and public holidays, from 8.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Entry fee is 30 baht per person. For more information Tel; (055) 641571


The Ramkhamhaeng National Park (Khao Luang, Sukhothai)
This exquisite national park with a combined natural and historical background covers an area of 314 square kilometers, and was declared to be a national park on 27 October, 1980.
High hills and steep cliffs some over 1,200 meters above sea level, together with fascinating falls, different species to plants and wildlife are some of the major attractions available in this park offered to nature loving tourists or visitors. Furthermore, the archaeological and historical sites with ancient remains and relics make the park even more attractive, especially for critics and theologians.

To reach the park by road, take Highway no. 1 from Bangkok, then at km. 414 (20 kilometres to Sukhothai) take the lest turn along the laterite road for another 16 kilometres till arriving at the park's office.

Wat Chedi-Sung
Wat Chedi-Sung is situated near Wat Traphang Thong Lang. The upper part of the Chedi is round. The base is constructed in three tiered stages. This interesting Sukhothai type of Chedi is of Sivijaya and Singhalese-styles. In front of the Chedi stands a small Wihan.

Wat Traphang-Thong-Lang
Wat Traphang-Thong-Lang houses a square Mondop which is beautifully decorated by stucco figures in niches. The southern side portrays the Lord Buddha flanked by angels. To the west portrays the Lord Buddha preaching to his father and relatives. The northern side depicts the episode when the Lord Buddha returned to preach to his wife. These stucco figures, especially those on the south side, are masterpieces of Sukhothai art.

The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
inside the park, displays gifts from the ex-abbot of Wat Ratchathani and art objects unearthed in Sukhothai and nearby provinces. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Admission fee 30 baht. Tel. (055) 612167

Thuriang Kiln
Thuriang Kiln is a site where Sukhothai celadons were made. Kilns exist in an area measuring 100 by 700 metres. Each kiln is divided into three sections, the fire area, the pottery baking oven, and the flue. The pottery found here is usually decorated by three different painted designs on their bottom: a disc, a fish, and a flower. Forty-nine kilns and small edifices are visible. To the north, a pond has been dug into the stone.

Phra Mae Ya Shirne
Phra Mae Ya Shirne is situated in front of the City Hall and is highly respected by Sukhothai residents. It houses an idol of Phra Mae Ya, a stone figure with a white face and long hair, and dressed as an ancient queen. The idol is about 1 metre high and is supposed to have been built during King Ramkhamhaeng's reign as a dedication to his late mother Nang Suang