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 298 kilometres south of Chiang Mai. The province covers some 6,596 square kilometres and is divided into 9 Amphoes: Muang Sukhothai, Ban Dan Lan Hoi, Khiri Mat, Kong Krailat, Sawankhalok, Si Nakhon, Si Samrong, Si Satchanalai and Thung Saliam.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Sukhothai was the first kingdom of the Thais in this peninsula. Two princes-Pho Khun Pha Muang 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 Khans 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 Muang 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.
SUKHOTHAI : How to get there
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Attraction Accommodation Restaurant/Dining Shopping/Souvenir
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By Bus
Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Sukhothai daily between 9.45 a.m. and 10.20 p.m.,frequently during the morning. The journey takes 7 hours. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information. Private bus companies which operate daily bus services to Sukhothai are such as Win Tour (Tel: 0 2936 3753 or 0 5561 1039), Phitsanulok Yan Yon (Tel: 0 2936 2924-5, 0 5525 8647) Sukhothai Bus Terminal (Tel: 0 5561 3296)
By Rail
There are no trains going directly to Sukhothai. One may travel by train to Phitsanulok and then take a local bus to Sukhothai, about 59 kilometres away. Contact Bangkok Railway Station Tel. 1690, 02223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.
By Air
Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Sukhothai daily for 1-hour journey. Sukhothai Airport is about 40 kilometres north of the town. For more information, call 0 2265 5678, 0 2265 5555 or 0 5564 7224-5 or visit www.bangkokair.com
Distances from Amphoe Mueang to Other Districts
Si Samrong21kms
Kong Krailat22kms
Khiri Mat28kms
Ban Dan Lan Hoi38kms
Sawankhalok54kms
Si Nakhon67kms
Si Satchanalai68kms
Thung Saliam 20kms
Distances from Sukhothai to Neighbouring Provinces
Phitsanulok 77kms
Kamphaeng Phet 79 kms
Tak 100 kms
Uttaradit 165 kms
Phrae 207 kms
Lampang 59
MAP
SUKHOTHAI TOURIST MAP
LIST OF ACCOMMODATION
Sawankhaburi
Boutique Hotel
Address :15/31 Si Satchanalai Road, Tambon Mueang, Amphoe Sawankhalok, Sukhothai
Telephone :0 5564 2248,0 5564 4197-99
Website : http://www.swankaburihotel.com
No of Room : 23 Room , Price : 1200 - 1900 Bath
Le Charme Sukhothai
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Address :Le Charme Sukhothai 9/9 Mu 3 Tambon Mueang Kao, Mueang Sukhothai 64210
Telephone :0 5563 3333
Website : http://www.lecharmesukhothai.com
E-mail : info@lecharmesukhothai.com
No of Room : 42 Room , Price : 2500 - 6500 Bath
EZ Houes
can see both city view and mountain view.
Address :EZ House 240/4 Charotwithithong Road, Tambon Thani, Mueang Sukhothai 64000
Telephone :0 5561 1711, 08 1596 5457, 08 9144 2204
Website : http://www.ezhouse.multiply.com
E-mail : ez.house.sukhothai@gmail.com, ez_house@windowlive.com
No of Room : 6 Room , Price : 250 - 450 Bath
Legendha Sukhothai
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Address :Legendha Sukhothai 214 Mu 3 Tambon Mueang Kao, Mueang, Sukhothai 64210
Telephone :0 5569 7249, 0 2642 5479 Fax : 0 5569 7583
Website : http://www.legendhasukhothai.com
No of Room : 64 Room , Price : 3000 - 8500 Bath
Sukhothai Tewson Resort
Recharge your battery with the natural power
Address :286/11 Mu 7 Tambon Bankluai Amphoe Mueang Sukhothai
Telephone :0 5562 2019, 08 1888 6378
Website : http://www.sukhothaitewsone.spaces.live.com
E-mail : sukhothaitewsone@hotmail.com
No of Room : 20 Room , Price : 600 - 2000 Bath
Sukhothai Hotel
It is located in the city of Sukhothai.
Address :15/5 Singhawat Road, Tambon Thani, Amphoe Mueang, Sukhothai
Telephone :0 5561 1133 , 0 5561 1540 , 0 5561 2028
No of Room : 42 Room , Price : 150 - 480 Bath
Thong Hotel
It is located in the city of Sukhothai.
Address :327/15 Mu 3 Tambon Pak Khwae, Amphoe Mueang, Sukhothai
Telephone :0 5561 1628
No of Room : 20 ห้อง Room , Price : 250 - 500 Bath
Chinnawat
It is located in the city of Sukhothai.
Address :1-3 , Nikon Kasem Road, Tambon Thani, Amphoe Mueang, Sukhothai
Telephone :0 5561 1385 , 0 5561 1689
E-mail : chinawat_hotel@hotmail.com
No of Room : 36 Room , Price : 150 - 350 Bath
Thai Guesthouse
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Address :25/4 Rat Uthit Road, Tambon Thani, Amphoe Mueang, Sukhothai
Telephone :0 5561 2853, 08 9262 7251
E-mail : visakkkdd@hotmail.com
No of Room : 5 Room , Price : 200 - 200 Bath
Yupha House
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Address :44/10 Soi Mekkhaphat, Prawet Nakorn Road, Amphoe Mueang, Sukhothai
Telephone :0 5561 2578
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