Sukhothai was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Siam, and if you are traveling through Thailand, this should be a mandatory stop on your stay in the country. The Sukhothai Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it gathers the most spectacular ruins of the ancient kingdom for more than 800 years.
The mysteries of Sukhothai Historical Park
It is curiously strange the feeling when entering the historical park of Sukhothai. Pleasant and mysterious at the same time. Actually, it takes you back centuries to the heart of the kingdom of Sukhthai in the mid-13th century.
Yeah, you heard right. Thailand was not a country as such until the end of the 18th century. Before that, several kingdoms divided the territory with better or worse fortune. Being considered the first kingdom of present-day Thailand , Sukhothai has special relevance since its first king, Ram Khamhaeng, is considered the greatest influence on present-day Thai culture: it established Theravada Buddhism as a national religion, laid the foundations of present-day architecture, supported the fine arts and, above all, established the curious Thai alphabet that attracts so much attention to the traveller. A golden age of 3 centuries until, in the mid-15th century, the kingdom of Ayutthaya, to the south, subdued the kingdom and dominated it completely.
All this historical mysticism makes the arrival at the historical park have a special meaning. An extension of 70 Km2 that reflect the power of that kingdom that, let’s not forget, is 700 years old. An extension cut to the traffic, it is only possible to visit it on foot or by bicycle. A relaxing walk that takes us away from the chaos of big cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
Sukhothai Historic Park Map
The historic complex of Sukhothai is divided into several zones and brings together some of the most incredible temples in the entire country. Perhaps not so much because of the architectural spectacularity but because of what they historically mean. It is important to remind you that Sukhothai has a very important religious meaning for Thais. It is considered a serious fault to climb on structures or show any kind of disrespect to Buddha figures.
What can we see in Sukhothai?
Here are some of the most representative points of the visit to Sukhothai:
- Wat Mahathat – Clearly, the most spectacular spot in the park. Just at the entrance to the historic park, it was the epicentre of the kingdom and clearly reflects the magnitude of the kingdom.
- Wat Sa Si – Situated on a small island, Wat Sa Si has an architecture similar to Sri-Lanka.
- Wat Si Chum – Located in the north, the seated Buddha Phra Achana rests. An imposing sculpture 15 meters high protected by walls has made it one of the symbols of Sukhothai and undoubtedly the most impressive point of the historic park.
- Wat Chetuphon – One of the oldest constructions in the park. With four mysterious headless stucco figures show Buddha in different positions.
- Wat Traphang – Outside the park, the Wat Traphang sits in the middle of a moat in a beautiful place to rest and admire the beauty of the place.
For these well-deserved reasons, the UNESCO listed it as Human Heritage in 1991.
Spending the night in Sukhothai is more than recommended. A walk in the afternoon is the most pleasant but, for lovers of photography, the best postcards are taken at sunrise . An impressive landscape that, I am sure, will become one of the best memories of the trip to Thailand.
Do you want to include it in your trip? Take a look at our trips to Thailand and ask us for a tailor-made one.
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