Found in the 13th century,
Sukhothai (literally means “Dawn
of Happiness” ) was the first truly
independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed
a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng,
credited with creating the Thai alphabet.
The superb temples and monuments of this
great city have been lovingly restored
in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and a must-see for
all travellers.
Sukhothai is located on the lower edge
of the northern region, 427 kilometres
north of Bangkok or some 350 kilometres
south of Chiang Mai. The province covers
some 6,596 square kilometres and is divided
into 8 Amphoes (districts): Muang Sukhothai,
Ban Dan Lan Hoi, Khiri Mat, Kong Krailat,
Sawankhalok, Si Nakhon, Si Samrong, Si
Satchanalai and Thung Saliam.
Distances from Amphoe Muang to Other Districts:
Ban Dan Lan Hoi 28 kms.
Khiri Mat 22 kms.
Kong Krailat 21 kms.
Sawankhalok 38 kms.
Si Nakhon 54 kms.
Si Samrong 20 kms.
Si Satchanalai 67 kms.
Thung Saliam 68 kms.
Distances from Sukhothai to Neighbouring
Provinces:
Sukhothai was the first kingdom of the Thais
in this peninsula. Two princes-Pho Khun Pha
Mueang and Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao combined
their forces and fought the Khmers who commanded
an extensive empire throughout this part of
the world.
They drove the Khmers out of Sukhothai, a major
frontier post of the Khmer Empire, and established
it as their capital in 1238. Pho Khun Bang Klang
Hao, urged by the people to be king, was enthroned
with the royal title of Pho Khun Si Indrathit.
King Si Indrathit had two sons-Pho Khun Ban
Mueang and Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng. After his
death, Pho Khun Ban Mueang succeeded him. His
brother, Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng, ascended the
throne in 1278 and reigned for forty years.
He was Thailand’s first great king.
One of Thailand’s finest warriors, King
Ramkhamhaeng made Sukhothai a powerful and extensive
kingdom which included many parts of what are
today neighbouring countries. A number of ancient
cities paid him tribute.
King Ramkhamhaeng opened direct political relations
with China and made two trips to China - the
first in 1282 to visit Emperor Kublai Khan and
the second in 1300 after Kublai Khan’s
death.
From the second visit, he brought back Chinese
artisans who taught the Thais the art of pottery.
Today, the old “Sangkhalok Potteries”
are eagerly sought by collectors.
A major achievement of King Ramkhamhaeng was
the revision of various forms of Khmer alphabets
into a system suitable for the writing of Thai
words. The alphabet that he invented in 1283
was essentially the same as that in use today.
During his reign, there was prosperity and
happiness. There was water in the paddy-fields
and fish in the water. A stone inscription reads
in part, “This Mueang Sukhothai is good.
In the water there are fish; in the field there
is rice. The ruler does not levy a tax 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 also promoted religion and
culture, and through his efforts, Buddhism progressed
among the people. Inspirational faith gave birth
to classic forms of Thai religious arts. Images
of the Lord Buddha sculptured during the Sukhothai
Era are cultural treasures which impart a feeling
of peace and serenity.
A total of eight kings ruled Sukhothai. The
gradual decline of Sukhothai occurred during
the reigns of the last two kings. The end of
this first Thai kingdom occurred in 1365 when
it became a vassal state of Ayutthaya, a young
and rising power to the south. Ayutthaya became
the capital of Thailand before Thon Buri and
Bangkok.
