Sukhothai

Sukhothai, North, Thailand

Sukhothai was the first kingdom of the Thais in this Peninsula. Two Princes-Pho Khun Pha Muang of Muang Rat and Pho Khun Bang Klang Thao of Muang Bangyang-combined their forces and fought the Khamers who commanded an extensive empire throughout this part of the world. They drove the Khmers out of Sukhothai, a mojor frontier post of the Khmer Empire, and established it as their capital in 1238. Pho Khun Bang Klang Thao, urged by the people to be King, Was enthroned with the royal title of Pho Khun Si Indrathit.
King Si Indrathit had two sons. Pho Khun Ban Muang and Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng. After his dath, Pho Khun Ban Muang, succeeded him. His brother, Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng, ascended to throne in 1278 and reigned for forty years. He was Thailand's finest warriors, King Ramkhamhaeng made Sukhothai a powerful and extensive kingdom which included many parts of what are today neighboring countries. A number of ancient cities paid him tribute.

King Ramkhamkaeng opened direct political relations with China and made two trips to China-the first in 1282 to visit the emperor Kublai Khan and the second in 1300 after Kublai Khan's death. From the second visit he brought back Chinese artisans who taught the Thais the art of pottery. Today the old "Sangkhalok Potteries" are eagerly sought by collectors. A major achievement of King Ramkhamhaeng was the revision of various forms of Khmer alphabets into a system suitable for the writing of Thai words. The alphabet that he invented in 1283 was essentially the same as that in use today. During his reign there was prosperity and happiness. There was water in the paddy fields and fish in the water. A stone inscription reads in part, "This Muang Sukhothai is good. In the water there are fish, in the field there is rice. The ruler does not levy a tax on the people who riding their horses on the way to sell. Whoever wants to trade in elephants, so trades. Whoever wants to trade in horses, so trades.. Whoever wants to trade in silver and gold, so trades" King Ramkhamhaeng also promoted religion and culture and, through his efforts, Buddhism made headway among the people. In spirational faith gave birth to classic forms of Thai religious arts. Images of the Lord Buddha sculpture during the Sukhothai Era are cultural treasures which impart a feeling of peace and serenity. A total of eight kings ruled Sukhothai. The gradual decline of Sukhothai occurred during the reigns of the last tow kings. The end of this first Thai Kingdom occurred in 1365 when it became a vassal state of Ayutthaya, a young and rising power to the south. Ayutthaya became the capital of Thailand before Bangkok. Sukhothai Attractions