Si Satchanalai Attractions
Si Satchanalai
Si Satchanalai, former twin town of the first Thai capital Sukhothai, lies in the extreme north of the central plain (420 km (260 mi.) from Bangkok) on the right bank of Menam Yom, which makes its way through rocky green countryside here. The old town, somewhat off the tourist trail and less well known than Sukothai, is one of the most interesting seas of debris in Thailand. The magnificence of the young Thai empire found expression in buildings of high quality. The new town of Si Satchanalai, about 11 km (9 mi.) from the ruins, and the modern Sawankhalok (18 km (11 mi.)) were founded in the 19th c.
By car: from Sukhothai route 101 (55 km (34 mi.)).
By bus: regular connections from Sukhothai and Phitsanulok.
By rail: nearest station Sawankhalok (29 km (18 mi.)).
By air: nearest airport Phitsanulok (114 km (71 mi.)).
Si Satchanalai was founded around 1250, at the same time as Sukhothai, as a second seat of the Sukhothai empire (for the viceroy, usually the crown prince). Two Thai princes from the surrounding area had defeated the Khmer governor of Sukhothai in a bloody war; one of them pronounced himself king of Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and the surrounding area. He was succeeded by his son and then King Ramkhamhaeng, one of the most powerful personalities in Thai history. In the 17th c. Si Satchanalai fell to the kingdom of Ayutthaya, was renamed Sawankhalok and declined in importance. In the 18th c., when the Burmese threatened to attack again, it was abandoned by its inhabitants.
Si Satchanalai was laid out roughly in the shape of a right-angled triangle; parts of the once 5-m (16-ft) high wall from the 16th c. and the moat still remain. Two hills, once crowned with wats, dominate the surrounding region and offer good views of the ruins.
Si Satchanalai, former twin town of the first Thai capital Sukhothai, lies in the extreme north of the central plain (420 km (260 mi.) from Bangkok) on the right bank of Menam Yom, which makes its way through rocky green countryside here. The old town, somewhat off the tourist trail and less well known than Sukothai, is one of the most interesting seas of debris in Thailand. The magnificence of the young Thai empire found expression in buildings of high quality. The new town of Si Satchanalai, about 11 km (9 mi.) from the ruins, and the modern Sawankhalok (18 km (11 mi.)) were founded in the 19th c.
By car: from Sukhothai route 101 (55 km (34 mi.)).
By bus: regular connections from Sukhothai and Phitsanulok.
By rail: nearest station Sawankhalok (29 km (18 mi.)).
By air: nearest airport Phitsanulok (114 km (71 mi.)).
Si Satchanalai was founded around 1250, at the same time as Sukhothai, as a second seat of the Sukhothai empire (for the viceroy, usually the crown prince). Two Thai princes from the surrounding area had defeated the Khmer governor of Sukhothai in a bloody war; one of them pronounced himself king of Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and the surrounding area. He was succeeded by his son and then King Ramkhamhaeng, one of the most powerful personalities in Thai history. In the 17th c. Si Satchanalai fell to the kingdom of Ayutthaya, was renamed Sawankhalok and declined in importance. In the 18th c., when the Burmese threatened to attack again, it was abandoned by its inhabitants.
Si Satchanalai was laid out roughly in the shape of a right-angled triangle; parts of the once 5-m (16-ft) high wall from the 16th c. and the moat still remain. Two hills, once crowned with wats, dominate the surrounding region and offer good views of the ruins.
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Chaliang
The old Khemer town of Chaliang sits along the Menam Yom, not far from Si Satchanalai. A lovely chedi, a restored seated Buddha, and temple with a bronze footprint of Buddha are among the attractions.
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Wat Chang Lom
Wat Chang Lom, built between 1285 and 1291, is one of the most impressive temples in Si Satchanalai. The temple features a bell-shaped chedi.
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Wat Chedi Chet Theo
Wat Chedi Chet Theo consists of seven rows of stupas that differ in their styles. The most attractive of these is the Sukothai style central stupa which is shaped like a lotus bud.
Wat Nang Phaya
The Wat Nang Phaya, the "temple of the queen", has a bell-shaped chedi on a high square base, while highly decorative stucco ornaments of plants surround the long narrow windows like fine carvings on an external wall of the ruined wiharn.
Royal Palace
Of the former Royal Palace, only scarce remains survive apart from a few chedis. To the south of this district is the Lak Muang shrine, which was built on the foundation stone of the town and is crowned with a lotus bud, surrounded by four Sukhothai style chedis.
Wat Chao Chan
A few hundred meters past Wat Khok Sing Karam stands the Wat Chao Chan, its laterite prang reconstructed with old stucco ruins. In one of the ruined temples are remains of a standing Buddha, in another those of a seated Buddha.
Wat Khao Phleung
A colossal partly preserved staircase leads to the ruins of the Wat Khao Phnom Pleung (meaning "temple of holy fire") on the top of the eastern hill.
Wat Khao Suwan Kiri
On the other hill the remnants of the Wat Khao Suwan Kiri include a beautiful bell-shaped chedi with remains of stucco ornament and a giant Buddha statue.
A third hill, Khao Yai, stands to the west of the town walls; only the ruins of a rectangular building with sculpture on the tympanum remain from the Chet Yot Wat, which once crowned it.
A third hill, Khao Yai, stands to the west of the town walls; only the ruins of a rectangular building with sculpture on the tympanum remain from the Chet Yot Wat, which once crowned it.
Wat Khok Sing Karam
A tranquil path leads about 2.5 km (11/2 mi.) along the river to the town of Chaliang with its important Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat. The path passes the 14th c. Wat Khok Sing Karam, of which several columns and chedis remain. There are interesting ruins of a bot enclosed by columns, which unusually was not built above a statue of Buddha but over a small chedi which has a Buddha statue in a niche.
