Sukhothai Old City
Sukhothai Old City
Following about 25 years of archaeological works, supported by UNESCO, King Bhumibol opened up the ruined city of Sukhothai to the public; 193 temples were excavated and partly reconstructed. Because many antiquities plundered from Sukhothai were finding their way to art collectors all over the world UNESCO stepped in to support the work in 1978. Nowadays the ruined city is closely guarded.
Following about 25 years of archaeological works, supported by UNESCO, King Bhumibol opened up the ruined city of Sukhothai to the public; 193 temples were excavated and partly reconstructed. Because many antiquities plundered from Sukhothai were finding their way to art collectors all over the world UNESCO stepped in to support the work in 1978. Nowadays the ruined city is closely guarded.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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There is an information center plus an information board in English in front of every building.
The old city center was surrounded by three earth walls and two moats that formed a precinct of 1810 3 1400 m (5938 3 4593 ft). Of the four entrance gates ("pratu"; Kamphaeng Hak in the east, Na Mok in the south, Oa in the west and San Luang in the north) three were secured by forts, the remains of which can still be seen. Apart from 21 wats four ponds have been uncovered: Thapang Thong, Thapang Ngoen, Thapang Trakuan and Thapang So. Temple sites were not only inside the walls but dispersed throughout the surrounding area.
The old city center was surrounded by three earth walls and two moats that formed a precinct of 1810 3 1400 m (5938 3 4593 ft). Of the four entrance gates ("pratu"; Kamphaeng Hak in the east, Na Mok in the south, Oa in the west and San Luang in the north) three were secured by forts, the remains of which can still be seen. Apart from 21 wats four ponds have been uncovered: Thapang Thong, Thapang Ngoen, Thapang Trakuan and Thapang So. Temple sites were not only inside the walls but dispersed throughout the surrounding area.
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San Ta Pha Daeng
San Ta Pha Daeng, built late 12th or early 13th c., ranks among the most important Khmer ruins on Thai soil. The temple is on a 3-m (10-ft) high base and has four porticos. There are five wonderful stone fragments of male and female Hindu deities in Angkor Wat style.
Wat Sorasak
The Wat Sorasak was constructed in 1412, towards the end of the Sukhothai empire. The decaying chedi in Singhalese style is supported by 24 elephants. The niches are occupied by statues depicting Buddha sitting in a "western" position with legs hanging down.
Wat Traphang Ngoen
To the west of the Wat Mahathat on an island covered with lotus blossoms in the Traphang Ngoen ("Silver Lake") are the outstandingly beautiful chedi of the Wat Traphang Ngoen and columns from a larger wiharn. In the niches of the chedi, which is an impressive sight against the mountains, are Buddha statues. It is crowned by a lotus bud.
Wat Chana Songkhram
The Wat Chana Songkhram with a bell-shaped chedi in Singhalese style and the bases of two temples which have disappeared stands on a raised platform. The crumbling small building to the south of this wat was built over the symbolic foundation stone of the town, the Lak Muang.
Wat Mai
Parts of the base of the wiharn, richly decorated with stucco, in the Wat Mai still remain; only the pedestal of the prang survives.
Wat Trakuan
Several figures of Buddha in early Sukhothai style were found in the ruins of the Wat Trakuan, of which only a fine chedi and base of the wiharn can be seen; they display a rather unusual mixture of Ceylonese elements and Chiang-Saen style.
