Sukhothai is located on the lower edge of the northern region with the provincial capital situated some 450 kms. north of Bangkok and some 350 kms south of Chiang Mai . The province covers an area of 6596 sq kms and is above all noted as the centre of the legendar Kingdom of Sukhothai , with major historical remains at Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai. Its main natural attraction is Ramkhamhaeng National Park, which is also known as " Khao Luang" . The provincial capital, sometimes called New Sukhothai, is a small town lying on the Yom River whose main business is serving tourists who visit the nearby Sukhothai Historical Park.
OLD SUKHOTHAI
Founded in the 13th century, Sukhothai was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom and it enjoyed a golden age during the reign of the great King Ramkhamhaeng . Abandoned and overgrown for many centuries, the superb temples and monuments of this splendid city have been restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A must see for all travellers, Sukhothai is one of the most important historical sites in Southeast Asia..
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Sukhothai , which means " Dawn of Happiness ", was the first kingdom of the Thais, formed after Thai forces drove the Khmers out of the city, a major frontier post of the Khmer Empire and established it as their capital in 1238. The first king's son , Ramkhamhaeng , ascended the throne in 1278 and reigned for forty years. A fine warrior , King Ramkhamhaeng the Great made Sukhothai a powerful and extensive kingdom which included many parts of what are today neighbouring countries.King Ramkhamhaeng the Great opened direct political relations with China and made 2 trips there, from which he brought back Chinese artisans who taught the pottery techniques to the Thais, resulting in the famous Sangkhalok ceramics. A major achievement of his reign was the revision of various forms of the Khmer alphabet into a system suitable for the writing of Thai. The alphabet that the king invented in 1283 is essentially the same that is used today.
The Kingdom of Sukhothai during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great is note for prosperity and happiness , as recorded in a stone inscription well known to Thais. " This realm of Sukhothai is good. In the water there are fish , in the fields there is rice. The ruler does not levy on the people who travel along the road together, leading their oxen on the way to trade and riding their horses on the way to sell.Whoever wants to trade in elephants , so trades. Whoever wants to trade in horses, so trades. Whoever wants to trade in silver and gold, so trades."
King Ramkhamhaeng the Great also promoted religion and culture and through his efforts , Buddhism progressed among the people . Inspirational faith to gave birth to classic forms of Thai religious art. Images of the Budhha sculpted during the Sukhothai era are cultural treasures which impact a feeling of peace and serenity . Eight kings ruled Sukhotai , whose gradual decline occurred the last 2 reigns. The end of the first Thai Kingdom came in 1365 when it was reduced vassal state by Ayutthaya a young and rising Thai power to the south, which became the capital for four centuries , succeeded by Bangkok.
OLD SUKHOTHAI
Founded in the 13th century, Sukhothai was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom and it enjoyed a golden age during the reign of the great King Ramkhamhaeng . Abandoned and overgrown for many centuries, the superb temples and monuments of this splendid city have been restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A must see for all travellers, Sukhothai is one of the most important historical sites in Southeast Asia..
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Sukhothai , which means " Dawn of Happiness ", was the first kingdom of the Thais, formed after Thai forces drove the Khmers out of the city, a major frontier post of the Khmer Empire and established it as their capital in 1238. The first king's son , Ramkhamhaeng , ascended the throne in 1278 and reigned for forty years. A fine warrior , King Ramkhamhaeng the Great made Sukhothai a powerful and extensive kingdom which included many parts of what are today neighbouring countries.King Ramkhamhaeng the Great opened direct political relations with China and made 2 trips there, from which he brought back Chinese artisans who taught the pottery techniques to the Thais, resulting in the famous Sangkhalok ceramics. A major achievement of his reign was the revision of various forms of the Khmer alphabet into a system suitable for the writing of Thai. The alphabet that the king invented in 1283 is essentially the same that is used today.
The Kingdom of Sukhothai during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great is note for prosperity and happiness , as recorded in a stone inscription well known to Thais. " This realm of Sukhothai is good. In the water there are fish , in the fields there is rice. The ruler does not levy on the people who travel along the road together, leading their oxen on the way to trade and riding their horses on the way to sell.Whoever wants to trade in elephants , so trades. Whoever wants to trade in horses, so trades. Whoever wants to trade in silver and gold, so trades."
King Ramkhamhaeng the Great also promoted religion and culture and through his efforts , Buddhism progressed among the people . Inspirational faith to gave birth to classic forms of Thai religious art. Images of the Budhha sculpted during the Sukhothai era are cultural treasures which impact a feeling of peace and serenity . Eight kings ruled Sukhotai , whose gradual decline occurred the last 2 reigns. The end of the first Thai Kingdom came in 1365 when it was reduced vassal state by Ayutthaya a young and rising Thai power to the south, which became the capital for four centuries , succeeded by Bangkok.
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