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

The Royal Palace and Wat Mahathat

The royal palace lies in the centre of the town. This area is surrounded by a moat and contains two main compounds; the royal building and the sanctuary in the palace. In the royal compound exists the ruins of the royal building called Noen Phrasat. Here, the famous stone inscription of King Ramkhamhaeng was found by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in the 19th century together with a piece of the stone throne called "Manangkhasila Asana" King Ramhamhaeng set up the throne in the midst of a sugarpalm grove where , at his request, a monk preached on Buddhist Sabbath days and the King conducted the affairs of state on other days.

This throne was later installed in Bangkok is temple of the Emerald Buddha. A sanctuary lying to the west behind the Royal Palace compound is Wat Mahathat. It is Sukhothai's largest temple with a customary main chedi in lotus-bud shape and a ruined viharn. At the base of the Chedi stands Buddhist disciples in adoration, and on the pedestal are seated Buddha images. In front of this reliquary is a large viharn formerly containing a remarkable seated bronze Buddha image of the Sukhothai style, which was cast and installed by King Lithai of Sukhonthai in 1362.

At the end of the 18th century, the image was removed to the Viharn Luang of Wat Suthat in Bangkok by the order of King Rama I and has since been named Phra Si Sakaya Muni. In front of the large viharn is another smaller viharn which was probably buite during the Ayutthaya period. Its main Buddha image (8 metres high) was installed inside a separate building. In front of the southern image, a piece of sculpture called "Khom Dam Din" (a Khmer who come by way of walking underground) was found , and is now kept in the Mae Ya Shrine near the Sukhothai city Hall. On the South stands a pedestal of a large chedi built up in steps, the lowest platform is adorned with beautiful stucco figures of demons, elephants and lions with angles riding on their backs. Mural painting adorn this chedi.

Wat Si-sa Wai

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 constructed beside the prangs are Buddhist viharns. The Crown Prince of that time who later become King Rama VI found a trace of the Hindu sculpture Sayomphu, the greaest Hindu God in this sanctusry, In his opinion, this ruin was once a Hindu shrine, but was later converted into a Buddhist monastery.

Wat Traphang-Ngoen

Situated to the west of Wat Mahathat is Wat Traphang-Ngoen with its square pedestal, main sanctuary, and stucco standing Buddha image in four inches. There is a viharn in front, and in the east of the pond, there is an island with an ubosot. This edifice has already crumbled and only its pedestal and laterite columns still remain. Many monuments and magnificent scenery are visible from this location.

Wat Traphang-Tong

Situated to the east of Wat Mahathat is Wat Traphang-Tong. 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 the Lord Buddha's Footprint slab that was created by King Lithai in 1390 on Samanakut or Phra Bat Yai Hill. This footprint was remove to the new mondop some year ago. An annual fair to worship this sacred Lord Buddha's Footprint takes place at the same time as the Loi Krathong Festival.

Wat Phra-Phai-Luang

This temple lies about 500 metres north of San Luang Gate. This sanctuary, formerly a Khmer-Hindu shrine but later converted into a Buddhist monastery, is surrounded by a moat. It is second in importance to Wat Mahathat. Inside, there are three prangs like Wat Si-Sawai, but the 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 seated Buddha images. A mondop contains Buddha images in four postures; sitting, reclining, standing, and walking. They are now all on ruins. A Sivalinga ( Phallic emblem of Hindu gods ) was unearthed in the compound of this

Wat Si Chum

This lies about 1,500 mitres north of Wat Mahathat and was originally surrounded by a moat. A square mondop which is the main sanctuary, contains a monumental stucco-over-brick Buddha image in the attitude of Subduing Mara called "Phra Achana.". This Buddha measures 11.30 metres from knee to knee. The mondop is a passageway in the left inner wall itself which leads to the above crossbeam. On the ceiling of the passageway are more than fifty engraved slate slabs illstrating Jataka scenes.Other sites are Wat Sangkhawat, Wat Hin Tang, and Wat Khung Wai.

Wat Saphan-Hin

This is situated on a hill 200 meters high. A pathway of slate slabs leads to the sanctuary yard.

Wat Aranyik

Wat Aranyik is located near Wat Saphan-Hin. In the Aranyik area, dwelling places for monks (kuti), caves, and the bases of ubosots and viharns line the pathway to the sanctuary.

Wat Chang-Rob

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

Wat Phra-Yun

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

Wat Pa-Ma-Muang

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

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 a slate pillar-balustraded window. There is an dentrance to the mondop to the north. Just behind the mondop is a small sanctuary which contains a Buddha images known locally as Phra Si Ariya (Maitreya), the Lord Buddha of the Future.

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 with 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 the Sukhothai period for example, Kanphaeng Phet and Si Satchanalai.

Wat Traphang-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 southern side portrays the Lord Buddha flanked by angles decending from Tavatimsa Heaven. To the west portrays the Lord Buddha preaching to his father and relatives. The northern side depicts the episode when the Lord Buddha returned to preach to his wife. These stucco figures, especially those on the south side, are masterpieces of Sukhothai art.

Wat Chedi-Sung

This is situated near Wat Traphang Thong 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 small viharn. Other sites are WatHot Phayom and Wat Ko Mai Daeng.

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

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

Wat Khao Suwan Khiri

This is also a hilltop temple situated 200 meters away from Phanom Phloeng Hill. A huge bell-shaped chedi on a 5-tiered base marks the center of the temple. Ruins of a viharn and chedi, and fragments of huge stucco figures lie scattered on the ground. The similarity between some figures here and those at Wat Chang Lom in the old town of Sukhothai leads to the belief that it was King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of the Sukhothai Kingdom who had this temple constructed.

Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo

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

Wat Suan Kaew Utthayan Yai

This is located near Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo with only a dirt road in between. A large image hall lies in remains within this temple. The monastery is also called Wat Kao Hong or the 9 roomed temple.

The Celadon Kiln Site Study and Conservation Center

This is located a Ban Ko Noi, some 4 kilometers to the norht of Si Satchanalai. More than 500 kilns have been excavated up to now. Numerous celadon wares in perfect condition as well as potsherds have been discovered. The kiln is oval in shape with a curved roof and is 7-8 meters wide. The center consists of 2 buildings situated on the kiln site area with 2 kilns Nos. 42 and 61 exhibited on site.

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

The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum

The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum was built in 1960 and opened on 25 January, 1964. The museum collection includes gifts from the ex-abbot of Wat Ratchathani and art objects unearthed in Sukhothai and near by provinces. It is open daily from 09.00-16.00 hrs.

The Sukhothai Historical Park

This is located 12 kms. from town on the Sukhothai-Tak Highway. It is opendaily 08.30-16.30 hrs. Admission fee is 40 baht. Ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals, and the water dyke control system, which was the magical and spiritual center of the kingdom, are now preserved and have been restored by the Fine Arts Department with the cooperation of UNESCO, not only with a view of fostering Thailand's national identity but the safeguarding a fine example of mankind's cultural heritage.

The tourist Service Centre is near Wat Phra Phai Luang. The centre provides information and facilitates visitors to the Sukhothai Historical Park, as well as displays models of historical buildings and structures in old Sukhothai. Places of interest are as follows

The Si Satchanalai Historical Park

This is located on the bank of the 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 when a new administrative center was established to replace chaliang. Ruins of 134 monuments have been discovered within the park

Si Satchanalai Ordination Celebration

or "Buat Chang" is a local event held annually during 7-8 Apil at Ban Hat Sieo, Amphoe Si Satchanalai. It features a spectacular procession of ordination candidates in colorful costumes on the backs of some 20-30 decorated elephants.

Songkran Festival

is an annual celebration of the Thai New Year, 13 April. The festival was mentioned in the famous stone inscription believed to be inscribed during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

Loy Krathong an Candle Festival

is held annually on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month at Sukhothai Historical Prak. Activities during the festival include krathong floating, a fireworks display, and local games and performances amid the glamorous atmosphere of Sukhothai Historical Park.

Sukhothai Night

Set up in Sukhothai Historical Park with performances of various activities. The objective is to model the Loy Krathong festival for those who missed the actural performance. The program simulates every activity held on Loy Krathong night. The show will last on hour by serving typical classical style dinner.

Sri Satchanalai traditional Gold

This is not only the ordinary style of golden craft, commonly being sold and purchased, but is the golden ornaments being renewable hand making by local hand weaving.The goldsmith usually copies the traditional designs found from ruins and remains in the area of Sri Satchanalia Historical Park.The tourists can find this valuable handicraft from any gold shops in town.

Hadsial Cloth Materials

The local people of Hadsiao village who have conserved long lasting typical cloth made with colorful and diffierrent designs, have produced the various styles of cloth for sale. The interesting tourists are welcome to visit many available selling shops especially in the village itself.

Traditional Silverware

The silverware found in Sri Satchanalai is distinguished and different form of the other placesin sense that it has its own design and elaborate weaving by hand, the same design and crafting as the golden ornaments, only uaing silver instead of gold.

Pottery

Sukhothai used to export enormous numbers of its pottery products in old time. The sustaining production is still ready to serve the interesting tourists who want both to purchase and to have snapshots on the kilns in the area of Sukhothai Historical Park.