Sukhothai Historical Park is a vast area of 70sq km in size. Consists of 200 historic sites within the city walls and outside the walls of 4 directions.
Environment
Within the city
walls, it is the atmosphere of the park. The flowering trees give the purple
flowers, yellow flowers and white flowers. There are wild fruit trees, as
described in the inscriptions, such as mango trees, tamarind trees, coconut
trees and palm trees. In the city centre is large reservoir with island, known
as the home of the ancient temple built by religious beliefs.
Most
of the archaeological remains at present are temples. No traces of the palace where might be wooden building that not long last.
UNESCO: Grand Viharn, Wat Mahathat |
Wat
Mahathat
This temple
is large, located in the city centre. Appear in the stone inscriptions that it
is home to the Golden Buddha known as Sri Sakayamuni,
which is currently enshrined at Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok.
Key elements of the temple are viharn, lotus-budmain chedi authentic Sukhothai art, flanked by the large standing Buddhas
"Phra Attharot". Moreover, prang and ubosot which beautifully
decorated with stucco are remained.
Ubosot on the Island, Wat Sa Si (Boundary Stone in the front) |
Wat
Sa Si
Lankan style main chedi is located behind
the viharn. A wooden bridge in front of the viharn is straight to a small island surrounded by large
pond. Highlight is an ubosot on the island. Used as ritual making of the monks,
Bai Sema (Boundary Stone) is marked in front of the hall.
King Ramkhamhaeng
Monument
This
monument is not ancient site. Built in the year 1975 AD (2518 BE) to
commemorate King Ramkhamhaeng. He is the origins of prosperity in all aspects
of the Kingdom of Sukhothai and present Thailand.
King Ramkhamhaeng, the Great |
He is
talented king. During his reign, Sukhothai was large kingdom and peaceful
country, had good relations with neighboring kingdoms. Trade flourished such as
Sangkhalok, local products for sale abroad.
He invented
Lai Sue Thai, the written language of the Thai people for the first time.
Scholars agree that it is a simple writing, high creativity and precise
pronunciation in Thai.
First Stone Inscription Replica |
The first stone inscription have
recorded the history during his reign are striking. It is the evidence
providing the comprehensive information in the Sukhothai period.
Theravada Buddhism has been the
national religion since the Sukhothai period to the present, with the coming of
Lanka family through Nakhon Si Thammarat during
the reign of him.
The replica of first stone
inscription, bell for complaining, low relief sculptures describe his royal
duties declaring the grace of him for the nation and Thai people from past to
present.
Ramkhamhaeng
National Museum
Preserve
and exhibit archaeological artifacts discovered nearby Sukhothai, Kamphaeng
Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Tak,
Uttaradit and Phetchaboon, about 1,500 items on display.
Notable
items include Buddha images, votive tablets, deity images and Sangkhalok.