Sukhothai is a small provincial capital located 427 km north of Bangkok in Thailand, its name means "the dawn of happiness".
Menu
Description
Sukhothai Province
Sukhothai is divided into two distinct parts: The new town on the banks of the Yom River and the old town 12 km to the east, where you can see the Sukhothai Historical Park.
The modern city, known as "the New-Sukhothai "A popular tourist destination, it is a quiet town with many guesthouses, restaurants and taxis ready to take you to the historic park.
Sukhothai Historical Park
History of the Kingdom of Sukhothai
Before the 13th century, Tais kingdoms were established in the hills of the far north of present-day Thailande.
There was the kingdom of Ngoen Yang (predecessor of Lanna around Chiang Saenin the present-day Province of Chiang Rai) and the Lü kingdom of Heokam (around Chiang Hung, the present Jinghong in Yunnan).
The city was a commercial centre of the Lavo kingdom, a vassal of the Khmer Empire whose capital was the present-day Lopburi.
The migration of Thai populations in the upper Chao Phraya valley was still in progress.
According to modern historians, the secession of Sukhothai from the Khmer Empire began as early as 1180, under the reign of Po Khun Sri Naw Namthom, ruler of Sukhothai and the neighbouring city of Sri Satchanalai (now Amphoe Si Satchanalai, in Sukhothai province).
Sukhothai enjoyed a large degree of autonomy at that time, but was taken over by the Lavo Mon around 1180 under their king Khomsabad Khlonlampong.
Two brothers, Po Khun Bangklanghao and Po Khun Phameung (Po Khun was a title of nobility) took Sukhothai from the Mon in 1239.
Bangklanghao ruled the region under the name of Sri Indrathit and was the first ruler of the Phra Ruang dynasty.
He expanded his kingdom to include neighbouring cities. By the end of his reign in 1327, the kingdom of Sukhothai covered the entire upper Chao Phraya valley.
Traditional Thai historians consider the founding of the Sukhothai Kingdom as the beginning of their nation, as little is known about the previous kingdoms, although studies by modern historians have shown that Thai history begins earlier.
Expansion of Sukhothai under Ramkamhaeng
Statue of King Ramkhamhaeng
Po Khun Banmeaung and his brother Ramkhamhaeng (r. 1239-1317) expanded the kingdom at the expense of neighbouring civilisations.
For the first time, a Thai state became a dominant power in Southeast Asia.
Historical tradition describes the expansion of Sukhothai in great detail, but the accuracy of these details is debated.
In the south, Ramkamhaeng subdued the kingdom of Supannabhum and Sri Thamnakorn (Tambralinga, in the Malay Peninsula) and, through him, adopted the Theravada Buddhism as the state religion.
In the north, Ramkamhaeng made Phrae and Mueng Sua (Luang Prabang) pay tribute.
In the west, Ramkhamhaeng came to the aid of Wareru (who was supposed to have abducted his sister) at the time of the fall of the Pagan kingdom, to found a Mon kingdom in Martaban (the Hanthawaddy kingdom, later centred on Pegou).
For this reason, Thai historians consider that this kingdom was vassal of Sukhothai. In fact, this domination was probably purely formal.
Ramkhamhaeng asked the monks of Sri Thamnakorn to spread Theravada Buddhism in Sukhothai.
In 1283, he invented theThai alphabetThis is shown on the famous "Ramkamhaeng Stele" discovered by King Mongkut (Rama IV) 600 years later.
This stele is a major testimony to the history of the country.
Sukhothai, Ramkhamhaeng Historical Park
Ramkhamhaeng's government is characteristic of the Sukkhothai kingdom, a patrocratic monarchical type, where the king is considered the father and the subjects as his children.
Ramkhamhaeng encouraged the trade by saying: "Whoever wishes to sell elephants, let him do so. Whoever wishes to sell horses, let him do so.
It was also at this time that the first relations with the new Yuan dynasty were established and that the kingdom began to send trade missions to China.
Sukhothai used to export Sangkalok (literally, Song Dynasty pottery!).
This was the only period when Siam produced Chinese-style ceramics.
Decline of Sukhothai and domination of Ayutthaya
The city's power was short-lived.
After Ramkhamhaeng's death, the vassal kingdoms were emancipated under the reign of his son Phaya Loethai (1298-1323).
First came the province of Uttaradit in the north, then the Lao kingdoms of Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
In 1319, the Mon broke their allegiance in the west and in 1321 the Lanna (founded in 1259) took Tak, one of the oldest cities controlled by Sukhothai.
In the south, the powerful city of Suphanburi also gained independence under Loethai.
Thus the kingdom was quickly reduced to its former local power.
From 1350 onwards, the new kingdom ofAyutthaya continued to grow in strength.
In 1378 his armies invaded the city and King Thammaracha II was forced to become his vassal.
In 1419, faced with the decline of the city, King Saluethai transferred his capital to Phitsanulok.
In 1424, after the death of Sailuethai, the two brothers Paya Ram and Paya Banmeung fought for the throne.
King Nagarindrathirat of Ayutthaya intervened by dividing the kingdom between them.
Their sister married Borommaracha II of Ayutthaya and had a son, Prince Ramesuan.
Boromban died without an heir in 1446 and Ramesuan became king under the name of Trailokanat (or Boromtrailokanat).
He was also crowned King of Ayutthaya in 1448, which marked the end of the Sukhothai Kingdom.
The Silajaruek-Sukhothai is a collection of hundreds of stone inscriptions chronicling this period.
The most important are the Ramkhamhaeng stele (Silajaruek Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng), the Silajaruek Wat Srichum (an account of the history of the region and Sri Lanka) and the Silajaruek Wat Pamamuang (a religio-political account of the reign of King Loethai)
The huge city is now ruined. The wooden palace of its kings has disappeared.
However, the city still has many remains of temples, built of laterite and brick.
Most of the buildings that have been discovered, and in some cases surveyed, are located within a moated rampart.
But many other buildings, scattered in the surrounding rice fields, are waiting to be cleared of the earthen covering.
Things to see and do in Sukhothai
The historical park
Sukhothai Temple
You should allow at least 3 hours to visit the site.
You can rent bicycles (about 20 baht).
The Park includes the historical remains of 193 sites on an area of 70 km2.
A restoration programme, started in 1960, has resulted in the restoration or reconstruction of almost all the monuments.
The park is divided into 5 zones (Central, North, South, East, West).
The Central, Northern and Western zones are charged at THB 100 as they are the main sites.
A combined ticket with the remains of If Sachanalai is possible.
Map of Sukhothai
The Ram Khamhaeng National Museum
This museum, which traces the evolution of Sukhothai art, is located within the historic park.
This national museum houses many archaeological remains and ancient artefacts found among the ruins of the city of Sukhothai.
Useful information about the historic park
Song-teo (pick-up taxis) operate from the city centre.
Please note that there is no more service after 5.30 pm!
The site of the ruins of theancient city of Sukhothai is open from 8 am to 6 pm.
Sri Satchanalai
Sri Satchanalai Ruin
Built on the banks of the Yom River, some 60 km north of Sukhothai, Sri Satchanalai was the main satellite city of the kingdom.
It was a pottery centre and excavations have uncovered the underground kilns. In the suburbs of the city, the famous Sawankhalok pottery was produced, named after the region in the early Ayutthaya period.
Abandoned at the end of the 18th century, many of its monuments have been cleared and restored under programmes led by Khun Nikom.
Practical information
The best time of year to visit the region is from November to February, when the weather is cooler.
The city is particularly popular during the Thai festival of Loy Kratong (the festival of lights) because for the occasion great ceremonies and shows are organised on the historical site.
Find a hotel in Sukhothai
You'll have no trouble finding hotel accommodation, but if you're coming between November and February, Thailand's high season, it's best to book in advance.
You can find the best hotel deals in Sukhothai with Booking.com
How to get to Sukhothai
You can get an idea of the price of transport to Sukhothai or book your tickets via 12go.asia :
By car
From Bangkok, take the N1 Highway and then the N32 Highway north to Nakhon Sawan.
Highway N32 reverts to Highway N1, continue to Kamphaeng Phet, then take Highway 101 towards Sukhothai.
By bus
Air-conditioned buses leave from Bangkok North Bus Station (Mo Chit 2) for Sukhothai (7 hours).
By train
The nearest railway station is in Phitsanulok, from where there is a regular bus service to Sukhothai, 50 km away.
Trains leave Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok.
By air
Bangkok Airways offers daily flights from Bangkok to Sukhothai (approx. 1 hour).
The airport is 40 km north of the city.
See also :
Transport in Thailand, getting around in the land of smiles
Photos of Sukhothai
Video on Sukhothai
Maps of the city and province of Sukhothai
Map of the city
Map of Sukhothai City
Map of the province
Map of Sukhothai Province
Source: wikipedia.org ; wikitravel.org Photo: King Ramkhamhaeng Shoestring statue; Wat Mahathat: Olivier Spalt; Lake: Caspar; Sri Satchanalai: John Shedrick
FR_BE
EN
IT
PT
ES
ZH
RU