Sukhothai
Posted by admin in Sukhothai
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Sukhothai was the first Kingdom of the Thais in this peninsula, founded in 1238, and was the capital of Thailand for 120 years. Ramkhamhaeng National Park (Khao Luang), located at Khirimat District, approximately 36 kms from Sukhothai city, consists in high hills and steep cliffs, some 1,200 meters above sea level. Waterfalls, different species of |
| plants and wildlife are some of the major attractions for tourists. There are also the archaeological and historical sites with ancient remains. |
| Ramkhamhaeng National Museum is located in the Sukhothai Historical Park area and opened on 25 January, 1964. The museum collection includes gifts from the ex-abbot of Wat Ratchathani and art objects unearthed in Sukhothai and nearby provinces. Sukhothai Historical Park is located 12 km from town on Sukhothai-Tak Highway. The Ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals are now preserved and restored by the Fine Arts Department with the cooperation of UNESCO. |
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| Phra Mae Ya Shrine is located 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. Phra Mae Ya festival is held in February. Along with shops selling local products, exhibitions and shows. The Wall of The Old City: is in the center of the historical park in Tambon Muang Kao and surrounded by earthen ramparts. The walls contain four main gates. A stone inscription mentions that Kings Ramkhamhaeng set up a bell at one of the gates. If his subjects needed help they would ring the bell and the king Would come out to settle in disputes and dispense justice. |
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The Royal Palace, in the center of the town, is surrounded by a moat and contains two main compounds; the royal building and the sanctuary in the palace. Wat Chana-Songkhram is located at the north of Wat Mahathat Its main sanctuary is round Singhalese-style chedi. |
| Wat Sa-Si is located near Wat Chanasongkhram. Built in Singhalese-style chedi, there i is the main sanctuary in the middle of Trakuan Pond. A large viharn contains a Buddha image. Si Satchanalai Historical Park is located in Muang kao, 52 kms from Sukhothai City. It is registered by UNESCO in the World Heritage List. San-Ta-Pha-Daeng or Deity Shrine is situated at the north of Wat Mahathat. This Monument consists in one prang with a staircase in the front. Sandstone Hindu divines were discovered there. |
| King Ramkhamhaeng Monument homes the bronze statue of King Ramkhamhaeng sitting on a throne with a base relief recording his life. Wat Mai, this temple, built in Ayutthaya style, has a brick viharn as the main sanctuary. The columns are made of laterite and a bronze image of the Buddha under a Naga was found there, it is now preserved in the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum. |
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| Wat Traphang-Thong ,which houses the Lord Buddha?s Footprint is located at the east of Wat Mahathat The monastery is located on an island in the middle of a large pond. A ruined laterite Singhalese-style chedi is on the island. |
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