Sukhothai Historical Park

Located 12km to the west of Sukhothai, this was the capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom from 1238 to 1438 and contains many ruins from that period. Its importance has been recognised and it is now a classed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a popular tourist attraction, and the site of much restoration since the 1960s. Consequently it is well maintained, exceptionally clean, and well supported by vendors, though only a minimum of touts. The fact that it is heavily restored is worth noting. This is apparent with some ruins or particular statues, and combined with the cleanliness and well kept grass and plants it can lead to a feeling that it is a little over-sanitised in the central zone. The other zones are much less like this, and trips down unmarked tracks can lead to ruins very much in their untouched state.

The whole site covers an area of approx 70 square kilometres and is divided into 5 zones. The central zone contains the majority of the ruins and a museum and costs 40 baht to access (6am to 6pm) and extra for vehicles, including bicycles. Simple maps can be bought at the ticket office for 3 baht. The other sites (north, east, south and west) have separate admittance fees of 30 baht when charged. Bicycles tend to be the favoured mode of transport, though it is perfectly feasible to have a gentle saunter round the central and north zones in 6 hours or so. The best way to see the ruins is by bicycle. They can be rented from a shop across from the main park entrance. Bicycles are offered for rental at various places near the songthaew stop. There is also a 20 baht tour on an electric tram available.

Central zone - Enclosing 11 ruins in 3 square kilometres, interspersed with moats, lakes and bridges to some island-bound ruins. Mat Mahathat is one of the most spectacular with a large seated buddha image set amongst the pillars of a now ruined sala, and a central chedi flanked by two standing buddha images. Wat Sra Sri also has a large chedi and buddha image, but is reached via a bridge onto the island. There are some nice views of this from the other side of the lake. North zone - Wat Phra Phai Luang has the remains of a number of buildings, and a large prang with stucco reliefs. More impressive is Wat Sri Chum which contains a massive seated buddha image peering through a gap in its enclosure. Look for a stairway on the left as you enter the enclosure which leads up and behind the buddha image, though it is not always open.

The city walls form a rectangle about 2 km east-west by 1.6 km north-south. There is a gate in the centre of each wall. Inside are the remains of the royal palace and twenty-six temples, the largest being Wat Mahathat. The Park is maintained by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand with help from UNESCO, who have deemed it a World Heritage Site. Thousands of visitors visit the historic site yearly to marvel at the ruins of buddha figures and ancient temples, toured easily by bicycle.

The protection of the area was first announced in Volume 92, Part 112 of the Royal Gazette on August 2, 1961. In 1976 the restoration project was approved, and in July 1988 it was officially opened. On December 12, 1991, it was declared a World Heritage site, together with the assorted parks of Kampang Phet and Si Satchanalai.