Ayuthaya, some 70 kms upstream from Bangkok,
was the Simese capital from1350 to 1767. Magnificent ruins of temples,
palaces and crumbling fortresses provide eloquent testimony of the former
capital's splendour. Lopburi, an ancient city dating from the 9th
century, contains Hindu and Khmer ruins and the imposing Ramratchaniwet
Palace built by Ayuthaya's King Narai. Phetchaburi, 120 kms southwest
of Bangkok, is well known for exotic sweets, the Buddha-filled Khao Luang
Caves, the hilltop Phra Nakhon Khiri palace and the mountainous, scenically
arresting Kaeng Krachan, Thailand's largest national park. Sukhothai,
is notable for massive sentinel stone Buddha images that preside over ruins
within the old city walls. The largest temple, Wat Mahathat, and Wat Si
Chum, with its massive seated Buddha measuring some 11 metres from knee to
knee, merit special attention. Phitsanulok, some 60 kms south
of Sukhothai, is famous as the site of the riverside Wat Phra Si Rattana
Maha That which enshrines the venerated Phra Buddha Chinarat, cast in 1357
and commonly regarded as Thailand's most beautiful Buddha image.
Ayuthaya
Founded in 1350 by King Ramathibodi I, Ayuthaya grew from
a small town with fortified mud walls on an artificial island on the Chao
Phaya River into one of the largest , most cosmopolitan cities in Southeast
Asia. With only one interruption, when it fell to the Burmese in the
mid-16th century, it was the center of Thai power for more than 400 years,
it rule extending over the entire Central Plains as well as many areas of
the far east and south. The 33 rulers of Ayuthaya adopted the Khmer concept
of divine kingship, complete with Brahminic rituals, and built spectacular
palaces as well as great Buddhist monuments; most of the major remains
visitors see today were constructed in the city's first 150 years. The peak
of opulence, however, came in the 17th century, when ships from all over the
world sailed up the..........more
Lopburi
Once
known as Louvo, Lopburi served as an important city during the Dvaravati
period and also as an outpost of the Khmer empire. King Narai of Ayuthaya
(1656-88) began using it as a summer retreat and eventually spent so much of
his time there that it became virtually a secon capital. King Narai 's Palace. Known as Phra Narai Rajanivet, this palace was built
by Kin Narai between 1665-1667 and was the scene of most of the important
events during his reign. High crenellated walls with imposing gateways
surround the large compound, which in turn was divided into separate areas
for government offices, ceremonial buildings and the king's private
residence...........more
Sukhothai
Sukhothai
was the northernmost citadel of the Khmer empire and had flourished for
centuries before the Thais began emigrating from the north in increasing
number. During the first half of the 13th century, when Khmer influence was
waning, a Thai chieftain later known as King Intradit united various groups,
overthrew their Khmer overlord, and founded the kingdom of Sukhothai, the
Pali version of which means "Dawn of Happiness" Sukhothai 's power lasted
less than two centuries before it became a vassal of Ayuthaya in 1378, but
it enjoyed a brilliant flowering in both politics and culture. Under its
third and most famous ruler, King Ramkhamhaeng (1275-1317), direct or
indirect rule was extended over much of present-day. Thailand, and a Thai
alphabet was devised. Most impressive of all were the remarkable
achievements in art and architecture. Drawing from a variety of cultures - not
only Khmer but also Mon, Indian and Sinhalese - Sukhothai artisans created superb temples, Buddha images and ceramics that were also distinctively Thai and are regarded as the finest examples of the country's cultural heritage.........
more
Phitsanulok
About 35 miles away , Phitsanulok is often used as a meeting base for
visitors to Sukhothai. It is an almost entirely new provincial capital, as
much of the old town burned down in the 1970's. Wat Mahathat ,
more fomally known as Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat, is the most important
temple in Phitsanulok and well known throughout the country; thanks to its
large compound, it escaped serious damage from the fire that destroyed many
building nearby. Its dominant feature is a gilded, Khmer style prang, built
during the Ayuthaya period, and the doors of the main sanctuary are
beautifully decorated with inlaid mother-of-pearl designs. Surrounding the
prang is a cloister that also contains the main sanctuary flanked by two
chapels. The principal Buddha image, a majestic bronze image sits are
numerous other Buddhas, while the wall behind is beautifully decorated with
paintings of gilded angels and floral motifs.
Central
Once
known as Louvo, Lopburi served as an important city during the Dvaravati
period and also as an outpost of the Khmer empire. King Narai of Ayuthaya
(1656-88) began using it as a summer retreat and eventually spent so much of
his time there that it became virtually a secon capital. 
Sukhothai
was the northernmost citadel of the Khmer empire and had flourished for
centuries before the Thais began emigrating from the north in increasing
number. During the first half of the 13th century, when Khmer influence was
waning, a Thai chieftain later known as King Intradit united various groups,
overthrew their Khmer overlord, and founded the kingdom of Sukhothai, the
Pali version of which means "Dawn of Happiness" Sukhothai 's power lasted
less than two centuries before it became a vassal of Ayuthaya in 1378, but
it enjoyed a brilliant flowering in both politics and culture. Under its
third and most famous ruler, King Ramkhamhaeng (1275-1317), direct or
indirect rule was extended over much of present-day. Thailand, and a Thai
alphabet was devised. Most impressive of all were the remarkable
achievements in art and architecture. Drawing from a variety of cultures - not
only Khmer but also Mon, Indian and Sinhalese - Sukhothai artisans created superb temples, Buddha images and ceramics that were also distinctively Thai and are regarded as the finest examples of the country's cultural heritage.........
more
