|
Prior to the thirteenth century, the land now known as Thailand was divided into a collection of petty principalities, most of which owed their allegiance to the Khmer empire and its administrative centre Angkor (in present-day Cambodia). In 1238, two Thai generals ousted the Khmers and founded the kingdom of Sukhothai, with General Intradit as king; soon after, they took control of much of present-day Thailand. The third and most important of Sukhothai's eight kings, Intradit's youngest son Ramkhamhaeng (c.1278-1299), turned the city of Sukhothai into a vibrant spiritual and commercial centre, establishing Theravada Buddhism as the common faith and introducing a Thai alphabet. But his successors lacked his kingly qualities and, by the second half of the fourteenth century, Sukhothai had become a vassal state of Ayutthaya. In its prime, Old Sukhothai boasted some forty separate temple complexes and covered an area of about seventy square kilometres. At its heart stood the walled royal city, protected by a series of moats and ramparts. Sukhothai Historical Park (daily 6am-6pm) covers all this area and is divided into five zones: entry to the central zone is B40, plus B10- B50 per vehicle; all other zones cost B30 each, inclusive. Songthaews from New Sukhothai (every 15min; 15min) stop about 300m inside the east walls, close to the museum and central zone entrance point. The best way to explore is to rent a bicycle (B20) from near the museum. There's a currency exchange booth (daily 8.30am-12.30pm) next to the museum and a couple of unappealing and rarely used guesthouses ($5-10) just outside the park gates.
Your Tip for Old Sukhothai- Sukhothai Historical Park
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Old Sukhothai- Sukhothai Historical Park - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Old Sukhothai- Sukhothai Historical Park - visit the main Old Sukhothai- Sukhothai Historical Park forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Old Sukhothai- Sukhothai Historical Park webguide section below! Thanks.
| 
