Sukhothai Kingdom

Quick Facts

• Get to know the capital of the first independent Thai kingdom
• Sukhothai was one of the wealthiest cities in Asia during the 13th century
• After being annexed to Ayutthaya, the kingdom began to decline
• ts huge capital was rediscovered only during the 19th century
• The glorious past of the kingdom is now witnessed to by the amazing National Park near the modern city of Sukhothai

Foundation of the Kingdom (13th century)

Before the 13th century, Tai kingdoms were all in the north of the country. Sukhothai was the trade center of Lavo (currently Lopburi). Secession from the Khmer Empire began around the end of the 12th century, with Sukhothai’s first king, Pho Kun Sri Indraditya.

Under the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng (1278-98), the kingdom knew a period of prosperity and expanded its territory to modern-day Laos and Cambodia.

In the Bangkok National Museum, it is still possible to admire a stele about King Ramkhamhaeng and his reign. The King is also commemorated by a statue placed in 1971 near the entrance of the Historical Park. The statue, on an elevated platform, is surrounded by panels depicting the King in various situations.

Another witness to this period is the Si Satchanalai Historical Park, containing the ruins of the ancient vassal town of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The area used to be an outpost of the Khmer Empire, as can be seen from the style of some of the temples.

Glazed ceramics that were exported to other Asian countries are a famous feature of the former city. A few kilometers north, visitors can find a conservation center where they can admire excavated kilns and many examples of ceramic ware.

Domination of Ayutthaya (beginning of the 14th century)

After the death of Ramkhamhaeng, his son Loethai became king. Vassal kingdoms escaped the influence of the new Sukhothai king, and the power of the kingdom began to decline.

In 1349, the army of the Ayutthaya Kingdom invaded and conquered Sukhothai. Besides, there were a few feuds between the kings and their heirs, and the kingdom was further divided.

Sukhothai ceased being an independent kingdom when the king of Ayutthaya, Borommaracha II, appointed his son as viceroy of Sukhothai.

Important historical records of the period are the Silajaruek of Sukhothai, hundreds of stone inscriptions that tell the story of King Ramkhamhaeng and his son, King Loethai.

Kamphaeng Phet (“Walls of Diamond”) used to be an important town of the kingdom, as it served as a garrison town to protect first Sukhothai, then Ayutthaya. Today, it is possible to visit the Historical Park, with its royal palace and numerous temples built between the 13th and 17th centuries.

The National Museum exhibits artifacts from several eras, like a two-meter-tall bronze statue of Shiva (from the early 16th century).

Decline (14th–15th century)

In the 15th century, Sukhothai was united with Ayutthaya. Sukhotai’s culture largely influenced Ayutthaya’s. The latter didn’t have a centralized administration, and the territories of Sukhotai (called “northern cities”, or “mueng nuea”) were ruled by local aristocrats. In 1462, Sukhotai made an alliance with an enemy state, Lan Na, and rebelled against its rulers.

The most important of the northern cities was Phitsanulok. During this time, Phitsanulok served as a “second capital” of the kingdom, and in 1463 the king moved his residence there.

Modern Phitsanulok, 380 km north of Bangkok, has as its most popular attraction the Wat Phra Sri Ratttana Mahathat (or Wat Yai, “big temple”). It was built in 1357 and is home to the Phra Buddha Chinnarat, one of the Buddha’s most revered images in Thailand.

Fall of the Sukhothai Kingdom (16th century)

King Naresuan of Phitsanulok, crown prince of Ayutthaya, was forced to move the people from many cities (such as Sukhotai, Phichai, Phichit, and Prabang) to the southern central plain, because of war with the Burmese.

When the crown prince of Burma died, these cities were restored as provinces of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. This big change meant the official end of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

Rediscovery of the Ancient Capital (18th- 19th century)

After establishing the capital of Thailand in Bangkok in 1793, Rama I found the deserted city-state of Sukhothai. In 1801, the king commissioned the construction of many temples in Bangkok, and many statues were brought from surrounding cities. One of these statues is the 8-meter-tall bronze statue of Buddha now placed inside Wat Suthat, a Buddhist temple in Bangkok.

In 1833, before ascending the throne, Mongkut (King Rama IV) travelled the country as a monk. He was a man of culture, who loved the arts, and he began rediscovering the fallen city-state of Sukhothai. He discovered the Ramkhamhaeng stele now displayed in the National Museum in Bangkok.

In 1907, Vajiravudh, the crown prince, conducted archeological expeditions to Sukhothai and other old towns. His book “Phra Ruang City Journey” has been used by later archeologists and historians.

Restoration: Sukhothai Historical Park (20th century)

The restoration of Sukhothai started in 1960 with the work of the Thai Fine Arts Department, and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991.

Today, it is possible to visit the Sukhothai National Park, near the modern city. The complex occupies 70 square km and contains about 190 ruins.