Sukhothai, a world heritage destination, has a lot to offer to the history lovers. The ancient town which literally means 'dawn of happiness' is a visual feast of elegant ruins, which tell the tale of Thai history. Situated amidst undulating hills and tranquil ponds, Sukhothai Historical Park is reconditioned after the biggest restoration work undertaken in Thai history.

Synopsis

Country	Thailand
Location	427 km north of Bangkok
Accessibility	Through Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Khon Kaen
Accommodation	Available in New Sukhotai town
Dining	Good variety
Average Temperature	150C to 360C

Why To Visit
» Highlight of the trip to the former capital of Siam
» Declared a world heritage site by UNESCO
» Capital of Thailand's first kingdom has considerable historical significance

Tour Attractions
Ancient capital of Sukhothai was famous for it's palaces, temples and other magnificent structures. Today, the ruins of this town contain the monuments of those world-acclaimed buildings. Although no structure of Sukhothai can be termed greater or lesser than the other, list of some more prominent structures is given below:

» Wat Mahathat
» Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
» Ramkhamhaeng Monument
» Royal Palace
» San Ta Pha Daeng
» Wat Chana Songkhram
» Wat Mai
» Wat Sa Si
» Wat Si Sawai
» Wat Traphang Ngoen
» Wat Traphang Thong

Along with these historic ruins, approximately seventy more impressive sites are located in the neighborhood. Needless to say, a tour to the Park can bring delight to the history or architecture buffs.

Concise History
Sukhothai, the capital of the first kingdom of Thailand, was laid down in the 13th and 14th century. An array of acclaimed monuments, representing oldest Thai architectural style, can be seen in the historical park.

The site was included in the world heritage list in 1991.

New Sukhotai
Modern town of Sukhothai is situated few kilometers away from the old one. All infrastructure and dining facilities are in New Sukhothai.

Climate
» Maximum temperature exceeds 30⁰C with strong sunshine throughout the year.
» Does not rain for many hours in rainy season, but rains intensively for few hours.
» Average Temperature is between 15⁰C to 36⁰C.

How To Reach
Various means of reaching Sukhothai Historical Park are given below:

By Air
Nearest airport is Amphur Sawankhalok, approximately 30 kms from the town. Air services are available to and from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

By Train
Trains operate from Bangkok to Phitsanulok, nearest railway station. Then one can board a bus for Sukhotai.

By Road
Buses operate between Bangkok and Sukhothai. Bus services are also available for tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Khon Kaen. One can also hire a car for the town.

Getting Around
Private vehicles ply between New Sukhothai and Historical Park. If you want to go further, you can arrange for your own car. The Park is segregated into five zones. You can use hired bicycles or trams to move between sites.

Accommodation & Dining
New Sukhothai offers inexpensive yet comfortable guesthouses to high-end hotels. The town takes good care of your meals, snacks and drinks. Few bars and restaurants keep you engaged even after sunset.