SUKHOTHAI

Sukhothai Province

The Sukhothai Historical Park

Approximately 427 kilometres (270 miles) north of Bangkok and 330 kilometres (200 miles) south of Chiengmai. The most convenient route is via Phitsanulok, which can be reached either by plane or train direct from Bangkok or Chiengmai. Alternatively, one may travel by bus all the way from Bangkok or Chiengmai to Tak which is 68 kilometres (42 miles) to Old Sukhothai (and a further 12 kilometres or 8 miles east to New Sukhothai).

ATTRACTION

Amphoe Muang

Phra Mae Ya Shrine

This shrine is situated in front of the City Hall and is highly respected by Sukhothai residents. It houses an Idol of Phra Mae Ya, a stone figure with a white face and long hair, and dressed as an ancient Queen. The Idol is about 1 meter high and supposed to have been built during King Ramkhamhaeng's reign as a dedication to his late mother, Nang Suang.

The inner city of Sukhothai has been
restored to its former glory as one of the most celebrated historical parks in Thailand

The Sukhothai Historical Park
The former greatness of Sukhothai has been preserved. Ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals and the water dyke control system which was the magical and spiritual centre of the kingdom are now preserved and restored by the Fine Arts Department with the cooperation of UNESCO, not only with a view of fostering Thailand's national identity but of safeguarding a fine example of mankind's cultural heritage.

The historical park has 26 old temples, each reflecting magnificent art and architecture. The park is open to the public everyday from 8.30 - 16.30 hrs. There is a Tourist Service Center near Wat Phra Phai Luang. The center provides information and facilitates visitors to the Shukhothai Historical Park, as well as display models of historical buildings and structures in the old city of Sukhothai.

Inside the Citywalls

The Royal Palace and Wat Mahathat

The walls of The Old City

San Ta Pha Daeng or Deity Shrine

King Ramkhamhaeng Monument

Wat Mai

The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum

Wat Traphang Thong

Outside the Citywalls : West

Wat Saphan Hin

Wat Aranyik

Wat Chang Rop

Wat Chedi Ngam

Wat Tham Hip

Phra Ruang Dam

Wat Mangkon

Wat Phra Yun

Ho Thewalai Kasetra Phiman

Wat Pa Ma Muang

Wat Tuk

Outside the Citywalls : North

Wat Phra Phai Luang

Ruin of Old Celadon Factory

Wat Sangkhawat

Wat Hin Tang

Wat Khung Wai

Wat Si Chum

Outside the Citywalls : South

Wat Ton Chan

Wat Chetuphon

Wat Si Phichit Kirati Kanlayaram

Wat Wihan Thong

Wat Asokaram

Wat Mumlangka

Outside the Citywalls : East

Wat Chang Lom

Wat Thraphang Thong Lang

Wat Chedi Sung

Wat Hot Phayom

Wat Ko Mai Daeng

The working of traditional textile production at Ban Hartsaew, Amphoe Si Satchanalai

Amphoe Si Satchanalai

Si Satchanalai Historical Park

Wat Chang Lom

Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo

Wat Kao Hong

Wat Suan Kaeo Utthayan Noi

Wat Nang Phaya

Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng

Wat Khao Suwan Khiri

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Ruin of Old Celadon Factory (Thuriang Kiln)

Celadon Kiln Site Study

Si Satchanalai National Park

Si Satchanalai Ordination Celebration

The 100 years ago Gold Textiles Museum-Saathon, Ban Hartsaew, Amphoe Si Satchanalai

Amphoe Sawankhalok

Sawankha Woranayok National Museum situated in Amphoe Sawankhalok, 38 kms. from Sukhothai with a 2 kms. left turn, the museum puts on exhibition sculptures of different periods. Also on exhibition are ceramic wares of Sukhothai period and ceramic wares from shipwreck in the Gulf of Thailand. Open daily except Mondays, Tuesdays, and national holidays, from 9.00-16.00 hrs.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Bus : Both air and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok for Sukhothai from the Northern Bus Terminal, Phahonyothin Rd. some 10 times daily. Contact the station or call 2794484-7 (air-conditioned bus) and 2710101-5 (non air-conditioned bus)

By Train : There are no trains going to Sukhothai. One may travel by train to Phitsanulok and take a local bus to Sukhothai, some 50 kms. away. Bangkok Railway Station Tel: 2237010, 2237020.

Those with private cars, will find it enjoyable to drive from Bangkok, having the opportunity of really seeing rural Thailand. They will travel through a number of provinces: Ayutthaya, capital of Thailand before Bangkok; Saraburi, with its temple of Lord Buddha's Footprint; Lopburi, with its ancient Khmer temple; Chainat with its huge irrigation dam; Nakhon Sawan where major rivers converge to form Maenam Chao Phraya; Phitsanulok, with its various attractions; Kamphaengphet and Tak with their striking views of hills and rivers.

By Plane : Thai Airways International Ltd. (Domestic) flies daily to Phitsanulok. Tel: 2800070, 2800080 for more details. The connection is Sukhothai by bus in only 1 hour.

Loi Krathong and Candle Festival

Loi Krathong and Candle Festival held annually on the full-moon day of the 12th lunar month, the festival was revived in 1977 with an aim to resurrect the Loi Krathong Festival amid the atmosphere of ancient Sukhothai dating back to more than 700 years ago. The entertainments planned for the festival include krathong competition, Nang Nopphamat contest (a beauty contest in Thai costumes), and a spectacular procession.

The Loy Krathong festival had its inception in the golden reign of King Ramkamheang, the third king of the Sukhothai period. From a stone inscription there is clear evidence that Loy Krathong was a delightful festival which attracted large numbers of people to gather to observe a lantern or candlelight procession around the royal temple.

Today, the Loy Krathong festival is still celebrated by the general public but the ancient ceremony of burning the candle and lighting the lantern was all but forgotten. In 1977 this ceremony was revised and reorganised each year at Mahatat Temple within the Sukhothai Historical Park which has been designated a World Heritage site.

Originally the celebration lated for three successive nights with the full-moon night being the second night when the king graciously presided over the ceremony. Seated on the royal barge, the monarch would high light the incense stick and candle, and float the krathong on to the river. The lamps would then be lit in worship of the Lord Buddha.

The Loy Krathong festival is scheduled to be held each year in November. Among the main attractions during three-day celebration is the special prayers and offerings in reverence to Phra Mae Ya and King Ramkamheang the Great; a krathong ompetition; Nang Nophamas, a classical beaty pageant together with local performances and dancing. The "Ligkay," or burlesque theatrical performances, movies and classical Thai music are staged every night. During daytime there are local sports, long boat races and pleng yao, a competition with joyous songs sung by courting couples.

When the full-moon is high in the sky, the spirit of Loy Krathong ceremony begins to revive in the dark of the night. At Mahatat Temple in the Sukhothai Historical Park, a thrilling light-and-sound show takes people back to the dawning of the Sukhothai period. Cultural performances take place against colourfully decorated scenes which actors and actreeses in fine costumes of the period. The audience is made to fell a part of the great history of Sukhothai which means "the dawn of happiness."

Information

: Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourist Service Center
: TAT Northern Office : Region 3,

209/7-8 Surasi Trade Center, Boromtrailokanat Rd., Amphoe Muang, Phitsanulok 65000

Tel.: (66 55) 252-742-3; Fax: (66 55) 252-742

E-mail : tatphs@loxinfo.co.th

Area of Responsibility : Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sukhothai and Uttaradit
: Hotel & Resorts in Sukhothai