Sukhothai Province

Sukhothai literally means "Dawn of Happiness", with an area of 6,596. sq.kms. is about 427 kms. (267 miles) north of Bangkok, and was founded in 1238. Sukhothai was capital of Thailand for approximately 120 years.

ATTRACTIONS

In Amphoe Muang

Phra Mae Ya Shrine 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 face and long hair, and dressed as an ancient Queen. The Idol is about 1 meter high and s upposed to have been built during King Ramkhamhaeng's reign as a dedication to his late mother, Nang Suang.

The Sukhothai Historical Park - The former greatness of Sukhothai has been preserved. Ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals and the water fyke control system which was the magical and spiritual centre of the kingdom are now preserved and restored by the Fine Arts Department with the co-operation of UNESCO, not only with a view of fostering Thailand's national identity but of safeguarding a fine example of mankind's cultural heritag e.

The park is open to the public everyday from 8:30 - 16:30 hrs. The admission fee is 20 baht. There is a Tourist Service Center near Wat Phra Phai Luang. The center provides information and facillitates visitors to the Sukhothai Historical Park, as well as display models of historical buildings and structures in the old city of Sukhothai. Places of interest are as follows:

Inside The Citywalls

The walls of The Old City are located in the centre of the historical park in Tambon Muang Kao and surrounded by earthern ramparts. The north and the south walls are each 2,000 meters long. The walls contain four main gates : Sanluang on the north, Namo on the south, Kamphaenghak on the east, and Oar on the west. A stone inscription mentions that King Ramkhamhaeng set up a bell at one of the gates.

The Royal Palace and Wat Mahathat lies on the centre of the town and covers an area of 160,000 square meters. This area is surrounded by a moat and contains two main compounds ; the royal building and the sanctuary in the palace. In the royal compo und exist the ruins of the royal building called Noen Phrasat, which might be Sala Phranmat or Buddha Sala mentioned in a Sukhothai stone inscription.

Wat Si Sawai is situated among magnificent scenery southwest of Wat Mahathat is Wat Si Sawai. Three prangs are surrounded by a laterite wall. Inside the wall, the viharn in the west, built of laterite, is separate from the main prang which was cons tructed in Lop Buri or Hindu - style but the others also constructed beside the prangs, are Buddha viharns. The Crown Prince (King Rama VI), found a trace of Hindu sculpture Sayomphu, the greatest Hindu God in this sanctuary.

Wat Traphang Ngoen is situated in the west of Wat Mahathat is Wat Traphang Ngoen with its square pedestal, main sanctuary, and stucco standing Buddha mage in four niches. There is a viharn in front and, in the east of the pond, and island with an u bosot. This edifice has already crumble and only its pedestal and laterite columns still remain.

Wat Chana Songkhram - Situated to the north of Wat Mahathat is Wat Chana Songkhram. Its main sanctuary is 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 the Charot Withi Thong Road is a strange chedi having three bases, one on top of the other.

Wat Sa Si is situated near Wat Chana Songkhram. 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 stand nine chedis of different si zes.

San Ta Pha Daeng or Deity Shrine - Situated to the north of Wat Mahathat is San Ta Pha Daeng. This monument consists of only one laterite prang with a staircase in the front. Sandstone Hindu divines (of Lop Buri-style) were discovered here.

King Ramkhamhaeng Monument - Situated on the north of Wat Mahathat is the King Ramkhamhaeng Monument. The bronze statue of King Ramkhamhaeng sits on a throne named Phra Thaen Manangkhasila Asana with a base relief recording his life.

Wat Mai - Situated to the north of Wat Mahathat is Wat Mai. Wat Mai, having a brick viharn as the main sanctuary, is in Ayutthaya style. The columns of the viharn are made of laterite. A bronze image of the Buddha under a Naga, (Lop Buri-style) was found here and is now preserved in the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum.

The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum was built in 1960 and opened on January 25,1964. The museum collection include gifts from the ex-abbot of Wat Ratchathani and art objects unearthed in Sukhothai and nearby provinces. It is open daily from 9:00 - 16: 00 hrs. except on Mondays, Tuesdays and official holidays. Admission fee 10 Baht.

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 t he 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 t ime as the Loi Krathong festival.

Tourists Service Centre is situated near Wat Phra Phai Luang, the centre provide information and convenience for tourists. A model of the old city of Sukhothai with ruins of Wats and other buildings is also on exhibition there.

Outside The Citywalls

The sites in The North

Wat Phra Phai Luang lies about 500 meters north of San Luang Gate. This sanctuary, formerly a Khmer-Hindu Shrine, but later converted in to the Buddhist monastery, is surrounded by a moat. It is second in importance to Wat Mahathat. Inside there ar e three prangs like Wat Si Sawai, but 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 se ated 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 Siva) was unearthed in the compound of the sanctuary.

Ruin of Old Celadon Factory (Thuriang Kiln) is a site where Sukhothai celadons were made. Kilns exist in an area measuring 100 by 700 meters. 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 stone.

Wat Sangkhawat lies about 1,980 meters north of Wat Mahathat. The viharn enshrines a stucco image of Sukhothai style. Behind stands a Singhalese-style chedi. To the south, a brick ubosot base is surrounded by slate semas.

Wat Hin Tang lies about 2,400 meters north of Wat Mahathat. The Singhalese-style brick chedi is supported by a laterite base and surrounded by a laterite wall. A Sukhothai inscription of Wat Hin Tang described Buddhist relices and religious rites.

Wat Khung Wai lies about 300 meters away from Wat Hin Tang.

Wat Si Chum lies about 1,500 meters north of Wat Mahathat and was originally surrrounded by a moat. A square mondop is the main sanctuary and contains a monumental stucco-over-brick Buddha image in the attitude Subduing Mara, called "Phra Achana". This Buddha measures 11.30 meters from knee to knee.

The sites on The West

Wat Saphan Hin is situated on the hill 200 meters high. A pathway of slate slabs leads to the sanctuary yard.

Wat Aranyik is located near Wat Saphan Hin in the Aranyik area dwelling places for monks (kuti), caves, and the bases of ubosot and viharn line the pathway to the sanctuary.

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

Wat Chedi Ngam is situated on the hill in Aranyik area. The main sanctuary is a round Singhalese-style chedi decorated with four niches. On the east are a viharn and four small stone edifices. On the north is a stone pond.

Wat Tham Hip lies on the hill near Wat Chedi Ngam in the Aranyik area. A viharn and chedi base are still in existance.

Phra Ruang Dam - this earthenwork dam was formed to hold back water between Phra Bat Yai and Kiew Ay Ma Hills and restored by Thailand's Irrigation Department. Water from the dam will be used as replacement whenever the water level in other reser voirs goes down. This dam is referred to in the Sukhothai inscription.

Wat Mangkon - a big viharn and a round Singhalese-style chedi are visible. Sangkhalok architectural decorations were found here.

Wat Phra Yun lies some 2,500 meters west of Wat Mahathat. The viharn enshrines a standing Buddha image.

Ho Thewalai Kasetra Phiman - the palace of the god in the field nearby Wat Pa Ma Muang is a square laterite triple-tiered pedestal. Its form resembles that of a mondop and was probably used to install Hindu images.

Wat Pa Ma Muang - the sanctuary of the Mango Grove is an important one referred to in Sukhothai inscriptions. The base of the Singhalese-style chedi and the ubosot still exist.

Wat Tuk lies about 110 meters from Ho Thewalai. A square window-less mondop is the main sanctuary; a viharn and chedis are in front.

The sites in The South

Wat Ton Chan is situated outside the southern city wall 1,150 meters away from Wat Mahathat. A Brick Singhalese-style chedi enshrines Buddha images in niches. The brick viharn contains a handless stucco Buddha image. Fine votive tablets called Sane achan are found here.

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 slate pillar-balustraded window. There is an entrance to th e mondop on the north. Just behind the mondop is a small sanctuary which contains a Buddha image known locally as Phra Si Ariya (Matireya), the Lord Buddha of the Future.

Wat Si Phichit Kirati Kanlayaram with a round Singhalese-style chedi on a square pedestal and a viharn in front is surrounded by moats. A broken stone inscription in Pali and Thai was found and might have been inscribed between 1400-1404.

Wat Viharn Thong or Wat Thaksinaram is situated nearby Wat Asokaram. The main sanctuary is the brick lotus-bud shape chedi.

Wat Asokaram or Wat Salatdai is situated outside the southern city wall 1,400 meters away from Wat Mahathat. The bases of the main chedi, the viharn and the mondop are visible.

Wat Mumlangka is situated nearby Wat Asokaram. The Singhalese-style brick chedi and ubosot still remain.

The sites in The East

Wat Chang Lom is located to the north of Chotwithithong Road with a bell-shaped chedi of Ceylonese influence standing as the center. The chedi is situated on a 3-tiered square base on which a platform decorated with a row of elephants seen by their front halves supporting the round chedi. This type of elephant-decorated chedi is to be seen in many ancient towns of Sukhothai period, for example, Kamphaeng Phet and Si Satchanalai.

Wat Thraphang Thong Lang - a square mondop is the main sanctuary. In front of the mondop to the east, is the viharn and beyond the viharn stands an ubosot. The outer wall of the mondop is beautifully decorated by stucco figures in niches. The south ern side portrays the Lord Buddha flanked by angles decending from Tavatimsa Heaven. On the west the Lord Buddha peached to his father and relatives. The northern side depicts the episode when the Lord Buddha returned to preach to his wife. These stucco f igures, especially those on the south, are masterpieces of Sukhothai art.

Wat Chedi Sung is situated near Wat Traphang 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 s mall viharn.

Wat Hot Phayom is situated in the rice-field outside the eastern city wall 2,000 meters away from Wat Mahathat. The base of the viharn and the laterite pedestal are still visible.

Wat Ko Mai Daeng is situated in the rice-field near Wat Chedi-Sung. The main chedi is still in existence.

In Amphoe Khirimat

The Ramkhamhaeng National Park (Khao Luang, Sukhothai) - this exquisite national park, with nature and historical background combining, covers an area of 341 square kilometers, and is declared to be the national park on October 27,1980.

High hills and steep cliffs, some of over, 1,200 meters above sea-level, together with facinated falls, different species of plants and wild lifes are some of the major attractions available in this park offer to nature-loving tourists or visitors. Furthe rmore, the archaeological and historical sites with ancient remains and relices make the park even more attractive especially for critics and theologians. To reach the park by road is by taking highway No. 1 from Bangkok, then at about kms. 414 (20 kms. to Sukhothai) takes the left turn along the laterite road another 16 kms. arriving the park's office. For accommodations, reservations for bungalows and tents can be made through the National Park Division, Forestry Department, by Tel.5790529,5794842

In Amphoe Sa Wankhalok

Sawankha Woranayok National Museum is 38 kms. from Sukhothai with a 2 kms. left turn, the museum puts on exhibition sculptures of different periods. Also on exhibition are ceramic wares of Sukhothai period and ceramic wares from undersea shipwreck in the Gulf of Thailand. Open daily except Mondays, Tuesdays, and national holidays, from 9:00-16:00 hrs.

In Amphoe Si Satchanalai
Si Satchanalai Historical Park is located on the bank of Yom River at Tambon Muang Kao, Amphoe Si Satchanalai. The ancient town, formerly called "Muang Chaliang," was named "Si Satchanalai" during the reign of Phra Ruang Dynasty when new administra tive center was established to replace Chaliang. Ruins of 134 monuments have been discovered within the parks.

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat also called Wat Phra Borommathat Muang Chaliang qr Wat Phra Prang,is situated 3 kilometers to the south of the ancient Si Satchanalai's wall.An immense laterite prang on a square base marks the center of the Wat.A steep staircase in front of the huge prang leads to a room where a reliquary is enshrined.

Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng is a hilltop temple within the old town of Si Satchanalai.A literite chedi in cneter,a large vihara or image hall in front,and a small sanctuary behind all lie in ruins.Some laterite pillars and damaged Buddha's image constr ucted of literite slabs and coated with mortar are still to be seen.

Wat Khao Suwan Khiri is also a hilltop temple situated 200 meters away from Phanom Phloeng Hill.A huge bell-shaped chedi on 5-tiered base marks the center of the Wat.Ruins of vihara ans chedi and fragments of huge stucco ligures lie scattered on th e ground.The similartity between some figures here and those at Wat Chang Lom in the old town of Sokhothai leads to the belief that it was King Ramkhumhaeng the Great of Sukhothai Kingdom who had this temple constructed.

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 center of the Wat.Above the chedi's base,there are n iches enshirning images of the Buddha subduing Mara.

Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo is one most beautiful temple in Sukhothai Province.Chedis of different artistic styles and influence were built within the area of this Wat Mural paintings seriously damaged,are still to be seen in some chedis.

Wat Suan Kaeo Utthayan Yai is located near Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo with only a dirt road in between.A large image hall lies in remains within thia Wat.The monastry is also called Wat Kao Hong or the 9 room temple.

Wat Nang Phaya is a famous for its delicate stucco reliefs on the remains of the 7-room "Vihara" or "image hall".The pillars of this Vihara are decorated with unglazed ceramic designs.The central laterite chedi is surrounded by lampposts and acces sible by a set of narrow stairs.

Wat Suan Kaeo Utthayan Noi is the only manastry within the old town of si Satchanalai with a brick building in front. The ruins of this Wat consist of a whole laterite image hall with laterite roof.

Si Satchanalai Historical Park is open daily between 8.30-16.30 hrs. Admission is 20 BT.each.

Celedon Kiln Site Study and Conversation Center is located at Ban Ko Noi,some 4 kilometers to the north of Si Satchanalai. More than 500 kilns have been excavated up to now.Numerous celedon wares in protect condition as well as potsherds have been discovered.The kilns is oval in shape with a curved roof and is 7-8 meters wide.

The center consists of 2 building situated on the kiln site area with 2 kilns Nos. 42 and 61 exhibited in situ.There are also exhibition on artifacts and on the evolution of ancient ceramic wares.The center is open daily during 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00 hrs. Admission is 20 Bt. each.

To get there,drive for some 5 kilometers to the north of Si Satchanalai Historical Park to Ban Ko Noi where the remains of ancient kilns are seen scattered around.The center is also accessible by the provincial highway No.1201 from Amphoe Si Satchanalai, a distance of 7 kilometers with the buildings located on the left.

Si Satchanalai National Park,originally called Pa Kha (a cogon field),the park cocers a very vast strecth of cogon field with various natural attractions such as Namtok Khao(bats). It is situated 41 kms. from Amphoe Si Satchanalai-Ban Kaeng-Huai Ya uk route with a 32 kms. before reaching Bna Huai Yuak.Accommodations within the park available at National Parks Division,Royal Forestry Department ,Tel. 5790529,5794842.

Loi Krathong and Candle Festival,held annually on the fullmoon day of the 12th lunar month,the festival is revolved in 1977 with an aim to resurrect the Loi Krathong Festival among the atmosphere of ancient Sukhothai dating back to more than 700 ye ars ago. The entertainments planned for the festival include krathong competition,Nang Nopphamat contest (a beauty contest in Thai costumes),and a spectacular procession.