Historic Town of Sukhotai and Associated Historic Towns

The Sukhothai Historical Park located in Sukhothai its importance has been internationally recognized and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai was the capital of the first Kingdom of Siam in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was built by the Khmers and taken over by the Thais in 1230. The Thai language and alphabet originated here, the last was invented in 1283 by the famous King Ramkhamhaeng as a revision of various forms of Khmer alphabets into a system suitable for the writing of Thai words.

The same king made Sukhothai a powerful kingdom which included many parts of what are today neighboring countries. A number of ancient cities paid him tribute. King Ramkhamhaeng also opened direct political relations with China and made two trips to China (the first in 1282 to visit the Emperor Kublai Khan).

Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet were parts of the Sukhothai kingdom, the first true Thai state in present day Thailand. Many Thais considered Sukhothai as their Athens, the golden age of Thai culture and art. Although this kingdom had a short life for just around 150 years, Sukhothai was able to produce art which is considered as one of the most unique and beautiful Buddhist art in Asian history. A unique characteristic of Sukhothai art, which is one of the main reason that put Sukhothai in the list of World Heritage, is the unique feminine looked or unisex in the Buddha statues which represented both genders are equally able to achieve the nirvana, the goal of Buddhism.

Now Sukhothai is a historical park with the ruins of twenty wats (temples) and monuments. The greatest of which is Wat Mahathat, which was a royal chapel in Sukhothai period, is the biggest and most beautiful temple and the ruin is in a very good shape enough to make everyone can imagine its former glory. The beauty of water, for example via pools with lotuses, was also used to enhance the spiritual aspect of the wats.

Si Satchanalai

Si Satchanalai was a very important town in Sukhothai time as most of its rulers were the heir of Sukhothai throne. This town was considered as the second capital and also a great rival of Sukhothai in terms of art and culture developments, even today Si Satchanalai pottery and goldsmith are still active in production. While Sukhothai historical park is a stylish park, Si Satchanalai historical park is a forest garden with many hidden ruins. Although Si Satchanalai ruins are smaller and not impressive as in Sukhothai. Wat Nang Phaya, a true jewel of Si Satchanalai, this temple is the only place that can preserved its ancient decorative motifs in a very good condition, a really beautiful art inspired by flowers and trees.

Kamphaeng Phet

Kamphaeng Phet is quite different from Sukhothai or Si Satchanalai in terms of art and surrounding. Kamphaeng Phet means Diamond wall or unbreakable wall, a very good name for the town which was located on a military strategy point and had a great record of war history. The historical park is in a very dry forest, a very contrast to the greenness of Si Satchanalai. The art of Kamphaeng Phet also looked very masculine and was mainly built from red rough late rite making a striking contrast to the famous Sukhothai.

Sukhothai – Si Satchanalai – Kamphaeng Phet is the must for everyone who wants to understand Southeast Asian history and the birth of Thai nation. There are many things to see in these three historical parks. The only strange is if you want to see the most beautiful Sukhothai style Buddha and the symbol of all Sukhothai art as Thai people claimed, you have to go to the modern town of Pitsanulok to see the wonderful 750 years old Chinarat Buddha in Wat Yai, a really beautiful Buddha statue with golden halo! A real crown jewel of Sukhothai period, but is not in world heritage list!

Things to Do

Rent a bike to explore the ruins of Old Sukhothai.
Visit the park at sunrise to admire the Buddha figures in the orange glow of the morning sun.
Pay a visit to the ruins at Si Satchanalai Historic Park, 55 km from new Sukhothai.
Walk around the fresh market (in new Sukhothai) in the early morning and try the tastes of many kinds of local food such as sticky rice with deep fried pork, sweet deep fried beef or spicy pork salad wrapped with the banana leaf.
Rent a motorbike to be impressed with the local life style.

What to Eat

Poo and Kung, Thanon Charodvithitong. This is a Belgian run restaurant offering Thai and Western food and a wide selection of cocktails. From 30 baht for main courses.
Chopper Bar, Thanon Pravetnakorn. A rooftop restaurant and bar live acoustic guitar music, and Thai and Western menu. From 40 baht for main course.
Sukhothai Night Market, There are varieties of local food that you can find in the night market in new Sukhothai. The night market is called "To-rung", it also covers the area that the food stalls are along "Rachathani" temple's fence.
Kru Eew, One of Sukhothai noodle restaurants in new Sukhothai, there are not only Sukhothai noodle but also Sukhothai style padthai, Vietnamese food, dessert, etc. The restaurant is only opened in the day time which mainly serves for brunch and lunch.
Fueng Far, The restaurant that mainly serves for dinner. It could also be a drinking place which you can enjoy sipping beer by the "Yom" river. The food is called "Fish Food" - the plenty of Sukhothai local fish (Pla) dish especially spicy dishes e.g. Tom Yom Hua Pla (Fish head tom yum), Look Chin Pla Krai Luak Jim ('Pla Krai' - one type of fish, it's the Pla Krai fish ball boil and dip with spicy sauce - recommended), Koa phat kra pao (Stir fried basil frog). The restaurant is located by the Yom River, it takes 1 minute by motor bike from the beginning of the "Wat Ku Ha Suwan" Soi. Well, it is not recommended you to walk there because it is quite dark.

What to Buy

A Buddha figure at the market by the Sukhothai Historical Park, they are available in all historic styles, sizes and materials.
Thongchai Wittayu in New Sukhothai is the biggest electronic store selling electronic stuff which could offer much better price than the department stores and considered the best price in all over Sukhothai. The products are digital cameras, memory cards, mp3, etc. You could only ask around when you are hanging out in new Sukhothai, most of people know the store.

Accommodation
Budget Accommodation

Yupa, Thanon Pravetnakorn. This is a teak house with a small number of basic rooms and some dorm beds. With fans, cold water and shared bathrooms, these are good value at the low price of 120 baht.
TR Guest House, an own family run this guest house, they have rooms with fan and air condition and bungalow with fan. All with private shower and toilet. Price from 150 - 450 Baht Also free transport from bus terminal, free internet and motorbike for rent. Tel. 055-611-663.
Baan Thai, Thanon Pravetnakorn. This is a typical guest-house, with a restaurant and a number of rooms available. Rooms contain a fan and share a bathroom, with hot water available. 150 baht a night.

Mid-Range Accommodation

Orchid Hibiscus Guest House, 407/2, Old City Sukhothai, Tel. +66 55 633 284. A small guest house with clean rooms and swimming pool. The pool, breakfast and the garden make up for this. It is in biking distance to the old city, but there are only two restaurants in walking distance of the hotel!
Lotus Village is a cozy boutique hotel in the heart of Sukhothai. All rooms are in Thai style teak houses with verandas, surrounded by fish ponds, lotus flowers and beautiful tropical gardens. The lobby is an excellent place to relax and read a large selection of magazines, books and newspapers. Other services include local transport, travel bookings, cars with driver, and guides in French and English.
Mountain view guest house, 23/3 moo 8 Maung Kao Maung Sukhothai, Tel. + 66 55 601111 mobile +66 [0] 817404449 guest house with 6 rooms with swimming pool including breakfast owners very helpful and will take you to and from the historical park which is 4 km away.

Getting to Sukhothai Historical Park

Sukhothai only has a small bus station, but the city can be easily reached from the North, South, East and West.

From Mae Sot: Minibuses run regularly from the station behind the market. The journey takes about 3 hours, passing through Tak on the way 130 baht.
From Phitsanulok: Frequent buses operate from the main bus terminal and take about 1 hour for the 58 km trip.
From Bangkok: There are direct buses from Bangkok, but to avoid a long uncomfortable ride, take the (express) train (8 hours) to Phitsanulok and go by bus from there (1 hour).
From Chiang Mai: Buses from the main bus terminal take about 4 hours. The cheaper local buses make many stops and take about 5 hours.

Getting around Sukhothai Historical Park

The best way to see the ruins in the Sukhotai National Historic Park is by bicycle. These can be rented from a shop opposite from the main park entrance.
The purple #1 songthaew travels to and from the bus station, which is about 3 km out of town. They run the length of Thanon Charodwithitong. The fare is 10 baht.
The large blue songthaew to Old Sukhothai leaves from a bus stop on Thanon Charodwithitong about 100 meters west of the bridge. It stops about 750 meters from the entrance to the central zone of the historic park. The fare is 20 baht.