Visit historical Thailand !
From Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods, where the Kingdom of Siam was at its peak, Thailand kept many fabulous sites. many of them over the years got listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites or are waiting to be. Places to visit absolutely to really experience what Thailand is.
Sukhothai was the “first national capital” of the Kingdom of Siam, followed by Ayutthaya, Thonburi and Bangkok today.
Sukhothai Historical Park
It is without context the heart of historical Thailand. Located fifteen kilometers from New Sukhothai, the modern city that was built nowadays the Sukhothai Historical Park is divided into three sectors and includes dozens of temple ruins from the period when the city was the capital of a very powerful empire (1238-1438).
The central part is a must see. It is the most beautiful of the three parts with the large Wat Mahathat and its beautiful stone Buddhas, but also Wat Sa Si on his island, Wat Thra Phang Ngoen and its beautiful white Buddha or Wat Si Sawai and its different architecture. But, do not come to Sukhothai without paying a visit to Wat Si Chum (or Wat Sri Chum, we find both spellings) located in the northern sector of the park !
Our favorite accommodation in New Sukhothai was Baan Georges located in an small street a little away from the main road, with a pool, it offers quality rooms with even four-poster beds and above all a terrace with a superb view of the surroundings to enjoy while having breakfast (see Hotel details here).
Find here all the useful information to visit the Sukhothai Historical Park.
Ayutthaya, the History near Bangkok
Another important city in the history of Thailand is Ayutthaya just 85 km north of Bangkok. it can be visited easily from the capital even if we advise you to spend at least one night there to enjoy the illuminated temples in the evening, its tranquility, its small night market and rooms with a quality/price ration much higher than hotels in Bangkok.
The plus of Ayutthaya compared to Sukhothai, is that many of the temples are inside the city. This gives a charm that New Sukhothai doesn’t have. The must sees in Ayutthaya town center are : Wat Si Sanphet and 3 chedis and Wat Mahathat known around the world for its Buddha head trapped in the roots of a tree. And outside the center of Ayutthaya, be sure to go see the Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, its white reclining Buddha, its chedi with two large stone Buddhas surrounded by a square of various Buddhas and the vast Wat Chai Wattanaram along the river.
Our favorite side accommodation in Ayutthaya was Ban Tye Wang, a small family house with comfortable rooms in a quiet setting a few pedal strokes (free bicycles provided) from Wat Lokaya Sutha and its reclining Buddha (see details of Hotel here).
Find here all the information to visit Ayutthaya.
Other destinations to discover historical Thailand
If Sukhothai and Ayutthaya are both great destinations to delve into the glorious past of Thailand, there are many other sites in the country listed as UNESCO World Heritage or on the list of sites to be considrered for listing or distinguished by UNESCO with some vestiges of Sukhothai period like Kamphaeng Phet and Sri Satchanalai, both at 60-70 kilometers from Sukhothai, Wat Phra Mahathat in Nakhon Si Thammarat Woramahawihan, Wat Prayoon in Bangkok, Khmer temples (Phanom Rung and Muang Tham and Phimai) or even a archeologic site, Ban Chiang, in the province of Udon Thani.
History lovers and “old stones” fans will easily find their happiness in Thailand ! Especially in the north of the country…
