Sukhothai Thailand

Sukhothai Thailand

The Ancient Capital Of Siam 

Prior to the Ayutthaya period, the capital of the Kingdom of Siam was located at Sukhothai, which today is in central Thailand. During a period that lasted between 1238 - 1376, Sukhothai reigned as the first capital of the ancient Thai Kingdom. The origins of Thai language can be traced back to Sukhothai, thought to have been established by King Ramkhamhaeng. It is believed that it was during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng that Thailland adopted the practice of Theravada Buddhism as the national religion. The period in which Sukhothai enjoyed it's reign over the Kingdom marks a coming of age for Thai culture and is a very important moment in the country's History. 

Sukhothai is is perhaps the most underrated of all the ancient sites in Southeast Asia

Today the ancient ruins of Sukhothai are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and the ruins of the ancient temples have since been restored. During the 1970s the government of Thailand began restoring the ruins, and in 1988 the Sukhothai Historical Park was opened to the public. Within the walls of the park, most of the temples have been restored to what is believed to be their original state, however there are various temples on the outskirts of the park that remain in a state of ruins. The park is an immaculate display of meticulously maintained gardens and man made waterways that provide a stunning presentation of the history of the former Thai capital. 

While Thai people may recognize the historical significance of Sukhothai, foreign tourists often overlook the former capital and choose to visit Ayutthaya instead. With the close proximity to Thailand's capital city of Bangkok, perhaps it proves to be easier to travel to, and this is why more tourists end up visiting Ayutthaya. If you ask anyone who has traveled to both sites, you will likely hear that Sukhothai is by far the more impressive of the two. The beautiful landscaped grounds and the near fully restored temples make for a photographer's paradise. Even the most amateur photographer will find that their photos look to be worthy of a postcard or magazine cover. 

Getting to Sukhothai is relatively easy from Bangkok, there are trains leaving several times per day heading north, and it will take roughly 6 hours to reach Phitsanulok. From Phitsanulok it is only about an hours drive to Sukhothai. There are plenty of buses and taxis offering service between Phitsanulok and Sukhothai. It is also possible to fly to Phitsanulok from Bangkok with one of the country's many airlines, however this will prove to be slightly more costly. There are no shortage of modest accommodations available in the town of Sukhothai, however tourists will find more luxurious hotels with more facilities in nearby Phitsanulok. 

Motor vehicles are prohibited within the historical park, and visitors are encouraged to use bicycles that are available to rent as the preferred method of transportation. In order to see the entire park, and all the ruins scattered on the outskirts, it would take at least a few days of pedaling around from site to site. Tourists will be charged a fee to enter the park, it is 150THB per person for foreigners, and slightly less for Thais. There are several ruins located outside the walls of the historical park that tourists may visit free of charge, with the exception of Wat Si Chum, also known as "The Temple Of The Bodhi Tree". 

While Anchor Wat is the undisputed Holy Grail of Buddhist temple ruins, Sukhothai is is perhaps the most underrated of all the ancient sites in Southeast Asia. With more tourists favoring Ayutthaya, Sukhothai is a lesser known gem that is overlooked by many, however should be given far more credit as a premier tourist destination. There are few places on the planet that rival the beauty and historical significance of the ancient ruins of Sukhothai.