Sukhothai Thailand | Sukhothai historical park | Guesthouse Sukhothai | Hotel Booking
Thailand’s first capital, Sukhotai lies on the northern edge of the Central Plains, 425 km (265 miles) north of Bangkok and 350km (215 miles) south of Chiang Mai. Caught midway between these two major destinations, Sukhothai falls into a touring black hole, which is unfortunate as Thailand’s foremost historical site should not be missed. Moreover, this area of the upper plains includes other destinations of not inconsiderable interest – the ancient Sukhothai satellite towns of Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet, as well as Phitsanulok, Tak and Mae Sot.
Sukhothai Historical Park
Open daily 8:30-16:30. The ancient site is situated 12km west of the new town of Sukhothai. Following the completion of a 10-years UNESCO restoration project, it is now a manicured historical park covering a total area of 70 sq km, with lawns and ornamental ponds set against a distant background of wooded hills. Within the confines of the ancient city’s ramparts are more than 20 major monuments, while numerous other sights are scattered throughout the park.
The best starting point for a tour of the site is the Ramkamhaeng National Museum (Wed-Sun 09:00 – 16:00), which provides a useful introduction to the period. The museum is next to the core of old Sukhothai, whose principal monuments within the city walls described below.
- Wat Mahathat: The biggest and most magnificent of Sukhothai’s temples, dominated by a chedi in the form of a lotus bud. On the surrounding platform are four stupas and four prangs, while the base is decorated with stucco figures of Buddhist disciples. To the sides are two giant statues of the sanding Buddha, and on the eastern side are twin rows of pillars and a platform with a large image of the seated Buddha.
- Wat Sri Sawai: Southwest of Wat Mahathat, this temple is distinguished by three large Khmer-style prangs. It was possibly predates the founding of the Thai capital and was probably first built as a shrine to he Hindu god Siva before being converted to Buddhist use.
- Wat Trapang Ngoen: West of Wat Mahathat, the temple is picturesquely sited on an island in the middle of an ornamental lake.
- Wat Sra Sri: Another island temple, north of Wat Mahathat, noted for its fine Sri Lankan-style chedi and the remains of a large viharn with a stucco Buddha image.
Of the several monuments outside old city walls, two are essential:
- Wat Phra Phai Luang: A 10 min walk beyond the northern gateway is an extensive ruin that rivals Wat Mahathat in importance. Its Khmer-style prang (the only one remaining of the original three) redates the Thai period. In front of the prang are the ruins of a viharn and a chedi, the base of the later being decorated with stucco Buddha images. Nearby is a mondop enclosing the ruined statues of the Buddha in walking, standing , sitting and reclining postures.
- Wat Si Chum: Southwest of Wat Phra Phai Luang, the temple is impressive for its huge mondop built around an enormous stucco-over-brick statue of the seated Buddha, measuring 11.3m 837ft) across the lap. Inside the walls of the mondop is a narrow passage whose ceiling is decorated with beautifully engraved slabs illustrating scenes from the Jakata tales.
| HOTEL DETAILS | RATES | ||
 | 10 Moo 4, Banlum, Muang, Sukhothai 64000 Thailand Downtown Traveler Review :  (0 from 5) |  Start Rate : 1,463 THB | |
 | 9/9 Napho-Khirimas Rd. Muangkao, Sukhothai 64210 Thailand Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5) | Start Rate : 1,872 THB | |
 | 214 Moo 3 Muangkao, Muang, Sukhothai 64210 Thailand Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5) | Start Rate : 1,833 THB | |
 | 10/2 Moo 1, Jarodvithithong Road, Muang, Sukhothai 64210 Thailand Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5) | Start Rate : 1,170 THB | |
 | 999 Moo 2, Klongkrajong, Sawankaloke, Sukhothai 64100 Thailand Sukhothai airport Traveler Review : (0 from 5) | Start Rate : 2,808 THB | |
 | 11/3 Srisomboon Road, Tanee, Muang, Sukhothai 64000 Thailand Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5) | Start Rate : 3,042 THB | |
 | 99 Moo 7, Sarmruen, Srisamrong, Sukhothai 64120 Thailand Srisamrong Traveler Review : (0 from 5) | Start Rate : 900 THB | |
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