The first Siamese architectural marvel can be demonstrated by the 3.38 square kilometers Historic Park of Sukhothai. The town of Sukhothai is located in the present day Thailand and consist of 3 closely associated ancient towns.
The first Siamese architectural marvel can be demonstrated by the 3.38 square kilometers Historic Park of Sukhothai. The town of Sukhothai is located in the present day Thailand and consist of 3 closely associated ancient towns.
In total, the UNESCO World Heritage Site listed property occupies 11,852 hectares which are divided as follows: Sukhothai with 7,000 hectares, Si Satchanalai with 4,514 hectares, and Kampheang Phet with 338 hectares.
Sukhothai was the Kingdom of Siam’s political and administrative capital from 13th to 15th centuries. Si Satchanalai was the religious center with several temples and Buddhist monasteries coming up in the town. The town was also the center of the ceramic export industry. Kamphaeng Phet was located in the southern frontiers of the kingdom and was thus more or less a military barrack that helped protect the kingdom from invading foreigners as well as protecting the trade routes of the kingdom.
The three towns shared infrastructure such as water resources. The towns were linked by a highway known as Thanon Phra Ruang who constructed it. Another thing the 3 towns shared was the language and alphabet, legal system and administrative facilities.
The three towns boast a number of monuments and sculptures that were built and carved in Thai architecture in a style known as ‘Sukhothai Style’.
Due to royal patronage, Buddhism flourished and many of the impressive monasteries that were built in the 3 towns were built under royal charters. The monasteries illustrate the virtues of Lord Buddha and his teachings. It is during the early years of Sukhothai that the modern day Siam (Thai) culture developed. Most of these cultural practices are attributed to King Ramkhamhaeng, the Founding Father of the Thai Nation.
Sukhothai lies on a pedestal spot in terms of Thai culture, politics, economy and diplomacy. It thrived during a time that the Thais refer to as the ‘Golden Age’ or the ‘Happiness of Thai or the ‘Dawn of Happiness’. If you want to be instantly in the good books of the Thai people, mention this period. Better still, visit the 3 towns and get ‘Golden Age’ firsthand from where it all happened.