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Sukhothai
Sukhothai, a seemingly small town in the lower northern part of Thailand, is once home to the first capital city of Siam in the 13th Century founded by the great King Ramkhamhaeng and is considered to be the cradle of Thai civilization. Visiting Sukhothai today starts with an exploration of these historic temples. Some are in a historic fortified city centre where the king and nobility lived. Others are spread throughout the surrounding forest, amongst tranquil nature where monks would once have prayed and meditated in peace. But you’ll also find that there are a lot of cultural activities in Sukhothai, where you can learn about the traditions and try your hand at some of the iconic art and religious practices.
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Explore the Historical Park Visiting Sukhothai today starts with an exploration of these historic temples. Some are in a historic fortified city centre where the king and nobility lived. The impressive Historical Park with its ancient ruins, imposing temples and beautiful Buddha statues is even on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On a trip to Sukhothai, also called the “Cradle of Thailand”, you will move very closely in the footsteps of the Thai and the Khmer and have the opportunity to dive into the history of the country. On foot or on a relaxed tour by bike, there are many interesting things to discover in the Historical Park and the surrounding area! |
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Admire The Beauty Of The Khmer-Era Wat Si Sawai A favorite temples in Sukhothai Historical Park is Wat Si Sawai, located just south of Wat Maha That. Wat Si Sawai is even older than most of the ruins here as it dated all the way back from the late 12th Century. This is apparent from the Khmer-style design of the prangs that resembled those you see at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is also one of my favorite features as it stood out from all the other Sukhothai-era structures found in the park.
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Relax By The Silver Lake At Wat Traphang Ngoen From Wat Si Sawai, ride back up to Wat Maha That but instead of turning right, go left towards the Silver Lake and you will find Wat Traphang Ngoen, a small Sukhothai-era temple with a great view of the Silver Lake near it. The temple itself which was built in the 14th Century is not as impressive as all the others but due to its location by the lake, especially in the early morning, you should be able to capture some dreamy landscapes of the lake as well as the silhouette of the other temples from Wat Traphang Ngoen. |
If you are visiting at the right time, Sukhothai is a wonderful place to experience Loi Krathong, a festival taking place on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month on the Thai calendar – usually in late October/November. Loi Krathong festivities are actually believed to originate in Sukhothai. The main feature of the festival are krathong, small vessels made with banana leaves and filled with flowers or desserts, which are floated on lakes or rivers as an offering to the gods.
Given its historical and cultural importance, Sukhothai is popular, but you’ll find far fewer visitors compared to Ayutthaya and other tourist hotspots.
The general atmosphere is nice and relaxed, especially if you avoid weekends and Thai holidays. In any case, even if you visit on a busy day, the Historical Park is large enough to find secluded places. The surroundings of Wat Saphan Hin and Wat Sorasak are great for that.