Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (UNESCO/NHK)

Summary

Sukhothai, a historic town 400 km north of Bangkok, is the birthplace of the first unified Thai state and Tera Vaada Buddhism. Founded in 1238, the Sukhothai Kingdom thrived under King Ram Kam Hang, who invented the Thai alphabet and promoted prosperity. The royal temple, Wat Maharat, features unique Buddha statues and a 17-meter tall Buddha for meditation. The town annually hosts the Loi Krathong festival, where lotus-shaped lanterns are floated down the river in honor of the Great King.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The historic town of Sukhothai is located 400 kilometers north of Bangkok and was the capital of the first unified Thai kingdom.
• 🌟 Sukhothai Kingdom was founded in 1238 and was strictly Buddhist, playing a significant role in the spread of Theravada Buddhism.
• 🏛 Wat Mahathat is the royal temple of Sukhothai, featuring ten-meter-high pillars and Buddha images, with unique carvings depicting Buddha's interaction with people.
• 🔥 The Buddha's ashes are believed to be stored at the central prang of Wat Mahathat, symbolizing the sacredness of the site.
• 📜 King Ramkhamhaeng, the third king of Sukhothai, invented the Thai alphabet and inscribed a stone monument detailing the kingdom's prosperity.
• 🌾 The Sukhothai Kingdom flourished under King Ramkhamhaeng's rule, with advancements in religion, agriculture, and economy.
• 🗿 A 17-meter high statue of Buddha, known as the 'Watching Buddha,' is a prominent feature at the end of a narrow corridor, designed to meet the gaze of visitors.
• 🛕 The Watcharot Temple houses the giant Buddha statue, with a rectangular window beside its head, allowing visitors to see the statue's profile.
• 🎉 Sukhothai hosts the Loi Krathong festival annually, where lotus-shaped lanterns are floated down the river in honor of King Ramkhamhaeng.
• 🌌 The festival's tradition of floating lanterns dates back 700 years, reflecting the enduring cultural practices of the region.

Q & A

What is the significance of the town of Sukhothai in Thai history?

Sukhothai is significant as it was the site of Thailand's first unified state, the Sukhothai Kingdom, founded in 1238.

What is the religious orientation of the Sukhothai Kingdom?

The Sukhothai Kingdom was strictly Buddhist.

What is the Royal Temple of Wat Mahathat known for?

Wat Mahathat is known for its ten-meter high pillars aligned around an image of Buddha walking, and Buddha statues adorning the base of the central prang.

What is unique about the carvings at Wat Mahathat?

The carvings depict Buddha descending from the heavens and coming into contact with ordinary people, a form that appears in no other Buddhist monument.

How many kings reigned during the Sukhothai dynasty?

Six kings reigned during the 200-year Sukhothai dynasty.

Who was the third king of the Sukhothai Kingdom, and what is he known for?

The third king was Ramkhamhaeng, known for inventing the Thai alphabet and ruling during the kingdom's heyday.

What does the stone monument inscribed in the Thai alphabet depict?

The stone monument depicts how the country prospered religiously, agriculturally, and economically under King Ramkhamhaeng's rule.

What is the significance of the 17-meter high statue of Buddha at Wat Mahathat?

The statue is designed in a way that its eyes meet the eyes of people standing below, creating a space for meditation and contemplation.

How is the statue of Buddha at Wat Mahathat viewed by visitors?

Visitors can see the Buddha's face in profile as they proceed through a narrow passage, with a rectangular window carved into the wall beside the giant Buddha's head.

What is the Loi Krathong festival, and how is it celebrated in Sukhothai?

The Loi Krathong festival is celebrated by floating lotus flower-shaped lanterns down the river to please the Great King Ramkhamhaeng, a tradition that dates back 700 years.

What is the legend associated with the giant Buddha's head at Wat Mahathat?

Legend has it that King Ramkhamhaeng spoke to his people from a spot beside the giant Buddha's head, where a rectangular window has been carved into the wall.