Even older than Ayutthaya is another capital of a former kingdom, Sukhothai was founded in
the
13th century as the first truly independent Thai kingdom that enjoyed
a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng who was credited for devising
the Thai alphabet. Sukhothai Historical Park is another of Thailand's
UNESCO Heritage Sites and is a must see. The park is 12 kilometres from
Sukhothai town the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the ancient city gates, walls. Even
the moats are an entrancing spectacle especially as the setting sun sheds a tangerine coloured
cloak over the ruins.
The countryside around Sukhothai is laced with old and interesting temples. The age-old city
walls of this impressive site enclosing a variety of attractions. The old royal palace
lies in the centre of the town and is surrounded by the original moat covering an
immense 160,000 meters. It was in the royal palace that the stone containing the
first written Thai alphabets were discovered during the reign of King
Mongkut (Rama IV). In the middle of the 19th century King
Ramkhamhaeng's original throne
was installed in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Within the
walls is a large eight meter tall Buddha image that sits in an avenue of partly ruined pillars. Stroll
to the back of the shrine and a mill-pond-still lake reflects the sceneas if viewed in a looking
glass. This is a tranquil place and perfect for a contemplative moment or two. To the south
stands a pedestal of a large Chedi built
up in steps. The lowest platform is
adorned with beatiful stucco figures of demons, elephants and lions with
angels riding on their backs. Look out too for the famous "pineapple" chedi
at Wat Phra Phai Luang. The Sukhothai National Park has been immaculately restored by the
Thai Fine Arts Department and the gardens are ablaze with plants and flowers of every hue.
the
13th century as the first truly independent Thai kingdom that enjoyeda golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng who was credited for devising
the Thai alphabet. Sukhothai Historical Park is another of Thailand's
UNESCO Heritage Sites and is a must see. The park is 12 kilometres from
Sukhothai town the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the ancient city gates, walls. Even
the moats are an entrancing spectacle especially as the setting sun sheds a tangerine coloured
cloak over the ruins.
The countryside around Sukhothai is laced with old and interesting temples. The age-old city
walls of this impressive site enclosing a variety of attractions. The old royal palace
lies in the centre of the town and is surrounded by the original moat covering an
immense 160,000 meters. It was in the royal palace that the stone containing the
first written Thai alphabets were discovered during the reign of King
Mongkut (Rama IV). In the middle of the 19th century King
Ramkhamhaeng's original throne
was installed in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Within the
walls is a large eight meter tall Buddha image that sits in an avenue of partly ruined pillars. Stroll
to the back of the shrine and a mill-pond-still lake reflects the sceneas if viewed in a looking
glass. This is a tranquil place and perfect for a contemplative moment or two. To the south
stands a pedestal of a large Chedi built
up in steps. The lowest platform isadorned with beatiful stucco figures of demons, elephants and lions with
angels riding on their backs. Look out too for the famous "pineapple" chedi
at Wat Phra Phai Luang. The Sukhothai National Park has been immaculately restored by the
Thai Fine Arts Department and the gardens are ablaze with plants and flowers of every hue.