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106-506: The city's walls form a rectangle about 2 km (1.2 mi) east-west by 1.6 km (0.99 mi) north-south. There are 193 ruins on 70 km (27 sq mi) of land. There is a gate in the centre of each wall. Inside are the remains of the royal palace and twenty-six temples, the largest being Wat Mahathat. The park is maintained by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand with help from UNESCO , which has declared it

212-635: A Mon -speaking polity in Lower Burma, during the collapse of the Pagan Empire (Bagan Empire) in the 1280s. Wareru was assassinated in 1307 but his line ruled the kingdom until its fall in the mid-16th century. Wareru, a commoner, seized the governorship of Martaban (Mottama) in 1285, and after receiving the backing of the Sukhothai Kingdom , he went on to declare independence from Pagan in 1287. In 1295–1296, he and his ally Tarabya ,

318-669: A World Heritage Site . Each year, the park welcomes thousands of visitors. Originally, Sukhothai was a Khmer empire 's outpost named Sukhodaya . During the reign of Khmer Empire, the Khmers built some monuments there, several of them survived in Sukhothai Historical Park such as the Ta Pha Daeng shrine, Wat Phra Phai Luang, and Wat Sisawai. About some 50 kilometer north of Sukhothai is another Khmer military outpost of Si Satchanalai or Sri Sajanalaya . In

424-476: A vihara and an ordination hall, surrounded by moat . Numerous small stupas, of many is only the foundation remain, are scattered around the grounds. The large bell-shaped stupa stands on a square brick base with about 18 meters on each side. 32 elephant sculptures stand around the base. Each elephant seems to be on a small brick niche , only the front part of the elephant is visible. A square portico with brick foundation and remains of laterite pillars surrounding

530-552: A Thai feudal title, was a Tai title for a ruler of a fortified town and its surrounding villages, together called a muang ; in older usage prefixed pho ( พ่อ ) 'father', Comparable in sound and meaning to rural English 'paw' . Bangklanghao ruled Sukhothai as Sri Indraditya and began the Phra Ruang dynasty . He expanded his kingdom to bordering cities. At the end of his reign in 1257, the Sukhothai Kingdom covered

636-595: A diplomatic mission to Yuan China to receive recognition directly from the Mongol Emperor. It was a bold gesture as his nominal overlord Ram Khamhaeng himself was a Mongol vassal. The Martaban mission passed through Pagan, where they were briefly arrested in March–April. By then, King Kyawswa of Pagan had been deposed by the three generals from Myinsaing . At any rate, the Martaban mission eventually made it to

742-403: A large 12.5 meters tall standing Buddha image named "Phra Attharot". Another large Buddha image was found in the mid-20th century. The image has features of Dvaravati style, but more likely made in the 8th century in the kingdom of Srivijaya . Wat Aranyik ( Thai : วัดอรัญญิก ) was one of the first temple built by Tai in and around Sukhothai. The architectural remains indicate that the temple

848-417: A large brick mandapa, at the four outer sides they are 14th or early 15th century stucco Buddha sculptures with different postures. The eastern side depicts a walking Buddha, the northern one is sitting, the western one is standing, and the southern one is a reclining Buddha. The two large statues in the west and in the east are called "Phra Attharot". Another special feature of this temple is the use of slate in

954-468: A large scale invasion of the south until 1385. With Pagan out of the picture, the rivalry between Tarabya and Wareru came back to the fore. The immediate point of contention was the control of the newly won Irrawaddy delta. By late 1296, the relationship had deteriorated to the point of war. The two sides met at the border, and the two lords agreed to fight in single combat on their war elephants. Wareru defeated Tarabya in combat but spared Tarabya's life at

1060-508: A move is a testament to the rapidly dissipating authority of Pagan. At the time, Pagan's forces were faring badly against the Mongol invaders , and vassal rulers throughout the country had become increasingly restless. At Martaban, Gov. Aleimma himself had begun planning for a rebellion. Aleimma's rebellion turned out to be Gadu's opening. When the governor asked his vassals for support, Gadu readily obliged, offering his services and his men to

1166-608: A new capital city of the kingdom, founded New Sukhothai in Thani, 12 km (7.5 mi) to the east of old Sukhothai, thus abandoning Sukhothai. In 1801 Rama I commissioned the construction of many royal temples in the capital city. He ordered that old Buddha images be brought to Bangkok from the ruined temples around the country. One of the Buddha images is the famous eight metre (25 foot) tall bronze Phra Sri Sakyamuni ( Thai : พระศรีศากยมุนี ; RTGS :  phra si sakkayamuni ),

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1272-413: A pedestal in the west and an ordination hall on an island in the middle of an artificial lake, "Traphang Ngoen" (Silver Lake). The stupa is typical 10 meters Sukhothai style in the form of a closed lotus flower stands on a square laterite base, followed by five smaller and smaller levels of brick with a plain stucco, standing Buddha image in niches in the four cardinal directions. An ordination hall lies to

1378-542: A precaution against a Pagan invasion. In marriages of state , Tarabya married Wareru's daughter May Hnin Theindya while Wareru married Tarabya's daughter Shin Saw Hla . Still in 1293, Wareru received assurance from Sukhothai of its continued support. King Ram Khamhaeng even sent a white elephant as a symbol of royal recognition to his son-in-law although this open recognition may have forced Pagan's hand to act. In

1484-417: A slightly elevated mound and has two sets of Bai Sema . Wat Traphang Ngoen ( Thai : วัดตระพังเงิน ) means silver lake monastery. The temple was probably built in the 14th century, around the same time with Wat Mahathat. Wat Traphang Ngoen is oriented so that it is illuminated by both rising and setting sun. The main structures of the temple are a central stupa, the ruins of a vihara , a large Buddha image on

1590-418: A statue of Buddha. There is a slate tiles floor vihara in the east but few remains are still visible. In the north there are some structures of brick and stone that might once were monk residence. In the vicinity there is a fountain. Wat Chedi Si Hong ( Thai : วัดเจดีย์สี่ห้อง ) located about two kilometers south of the southern city gate, opposite Wat Chetuphon. The temple was built in the reign of Lithai in

1696-508: A theory of Vajiravudh Tra Kuan is a Khmer term for a plant that is morning glory , a medicinal plant is used in traditional Asian medicine. Wat Tra Kuan was founded in the time of the Kingdom of Sukhothai, probably the temple was finished at the beginning of the 15th century. A majestic stupa in Lanka styled is in the west of the site. Its square base has three tier layers. East of stupa are

1802-404: Is 19 × 25 meters and has rounded laterite pillars and a small porch to the east. The legs of a huge seated Buddha statue can be seen at the western brick wall. A small ordination hall with remains of the boundary stones (Bai Sema) is located in the north of the temple. The base of several smaller stupas are scattered around the grounds. More stucco reliefs, which were found in the temple, are now in

1908-594: Is a slate pathway and staircase in front of the temple complex. In various stone inscriptions found in Sukhothai, this temple was also called "Wat Aranyik", and since Wat Saphan Hin and Wat Aranyik are only about 500 meters away from each other, so perhaps originally a single temple. When Ramkhamhaeng invited a learned monk from the distant Nakhon Si Thammarat in the south of present-day Thailand to become Sangharaja of Sukhothai, he built Wat Saphan Hin with beautiful vihara for Sangharaja to reside. The temple also has

2014-489: Is a bell-shaped stupa standing on a large square base. There are niches with 24 elephants on the four sides of the stupa. This stupa is probably the first in Sukhothai having the Lanka style. In front of the stupa are the remains of a small vihara with laterite pillars. Wat Si Chum ( Thai : วัดศรีชุม ) has a massive mandapa in the middle of the complex which was built in the late 14th century by King Maha Thammaracha II. Inside

2120-513: Is a government department of Thailand , under the Ministry of Culture . Its mission is managing the country's cultural heritage . The department was originally established by King Vajiravudh in 1912, split off from the Palace's Religious Affairs Office, and was primarily concerned with protecting Buddhist monuments. In 1926, during the reign of King Prajadhipok , the department was merged into

2226-463: Is a temple located about 2.5 kilometers west of the western city wall. The main building of Wat Chedi Ngam are aligned in east–west direction. There is a paved road leads up to the temple. The bell-shaped stupa is in Sri Lanka style which is visible from afar. Similar to Wat Chang Rop, the stupa stands on a large, square base of 24 meters on each side. On each side there is a niche which once contained

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2332-551: Is decorated with lotus petals depiction. The Ramkhamhaeng Stele says that Ramkhamhaeng erected this stone throne in the sugar palm grove. Mongkut took these finds to Bangkok. Ramkhamhaeng National Museum ( Thai : พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติรามคำแหง ) is a branch of the National Museum of Thailand in the Sukhothai Historical Park. It was opened in 1964 by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit . More than 2,000 artifacts were donated from Phra Ratchaprasitthikhun,

2438-517: Is enclosed by double moat . The outer moat is 600 meters length and is fed by the Lam-Pan River. In the north-west of prang complex are the remains of late 14th century vihara , mandapa and a small ordination hall with eight Bai Sema . The temple is an important place to study the transition of Khmer art to Thai art . Since in the 14th century the prang has been renovated by adding elaborate stucco in leaves and frames patterns which become

2544-519: Is held in Lawo or Hindu-style. Each prang contains a cella , possibly a podium for lingam and crypt . There are few remaining stucco works on the top of central prang. Later around the 14th century the temple was adapted to the needs of the Buddhist faith: vihara were added to the south of the central prang. Numerous Chinese porcelains and Hindu god statues had been found in the area. One of artifacts

2650-416: Is located next to the Sukhothai eastern ramparts and the eastern city gate, the "Kamphaeng-Hak" gate. The temple itself is located on an island in a lake and can be reached via a pedestrian bridge from the main road. There is a typical main stupa in Sukhothai style and eight smaller stupas around the main one. A simple ordination hall was founded in 1917 by a governor of Sukhothai. The most important artifact of

2756-504: Is now kept in the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, resembles Lanna and Lanka styles with Sukhothai influence, thus the art historian called this style "Wat Tra Kuan style". Wat Chana Songkhram ( Thai : วัดชนะสงคราม ) is a small temple close to Ramkhamhaeng Monument north of Wat Mahathat in the same area with Wat Sa Si and Wat Tra Kuan. The temple was built in the time of the Sukhothai Kingdom . Today only ruins of

2862-448: Is situated on the east side of the stupa. Further east lies the ordination hall on its own little island. Also a large number of smaller stupas, of which today only the foundations are visible. Due to the similarities in structure and similar Bai Sema landmarks, it is believed today that Wat Sa Si were built at the same time of Wat Tra Kuan and Wat Chana Songkhram. Wat Asokārām ( Thai : วัดอโศการาม ) or Wat Salat Dai ( Thai : วัดสลัดได )

2968-529: Is the Shiva statue discovered by Vajiravudh in 1907. Wat Phra Phai Luang ( Thai : วัดพระพายหลวง ) was the ritual center of Sukhothai and the biggest temple in the city area. Built in the late 12th century during the reign of Jayavarman VII when the city was still under control of Khmer - Lavo . After the liberation and the construction of Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Phai Luang lost it main ceremonial role and become Theravada Buddhist temple. Similar to Wat Si Sawai,

3074-475: Is the most important and impressive temple in Sukhothai Historical Park. The temple's name translates to 'temple of the great relic'. The temple was founded by Sri Indraditya , between 1292 and 1347 as the main temple of the city as well as the Sukhothai Kingdom . The design is based on a mandala , representing the universe, with a principal stupa , built in 1345 to enshrine relics of the Buddha, surrounded by smaller stupas in eight directions. The main stupa has

3180-407: Is the remains of the royal palace of the Kingdom of Sukhothai. The Noen Prasat was discovered in 1833 by Mongkut , who had made a pilgrimage to the north of Siam as a monk. The palace was built on a square base with the dimensions of 200 x 200 meters. Nearby were two small ponds where the archaeologists found the remains of terracotta pipes which probably been used to supply water from a city lake to

3286-647: The Heokam (centered on Chiang Hung , modern Jinghong in China) kingdom of Tai Lue people. Sukhothai had been a trade center and part of Lawo , which was under the domination of the Khmer Empire . The migration of Tai people into the upper Chao Phraya valley was somewhat gradual. Modern historians believe that the secession of Sukhothai (once known as Sukhodaya ) from the Khmer empire began as early as 1180 during

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3392-553: The Mon state to the west broke away, and in 1321 the Lanna absorbed Tak , one of the oldest towns under the control of Sukhothai. To the south, the powerful city of Suphanburi also broke free early in the reign of Loe Thai. Thus the kingdom was quickly reduced to its former local importance only. Finally in 1378, the armies of the expanding Ayutthaya Kingdom invaded and forced Sukhothai's King Thammaracha II to yield to this new power. After

3498-724: The National Archives and the National Library . Its budget for FY2019 is 3,070.1 million baht . The Fine Arts Department is composed of the following divisions: Wareru Wareru ( Mon : ဝါရေဝ်ရောဝ် , Burmese : ဝါရီရူး , Burmese pronunciation: [wàɹíjú] ; also known as Wagaru ; 20 March 1253 – c.  14 January 1307 ) was the founder of the Martaban Kingdom , located in present-day Myanmar (Burma). By using both diplomatic and military skills, he successfully carved out

3604-731: The Royal Society , along with the Museum Department and Archaeology Department, in effect consolidating several cultural heritage-related agencies. In 1933, following the abolition of absolute monarchy , the Royal Society's archaeological arm was split off and re-established as the Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Education (then known as the Ministry of Public Instruction). It became part of

3710-422: The self-proclaimed king of Pegu (Bago) , decisively defeated a major invasion by Pagan. Wareru eliminated Tarabya soon after, and emerged as the sole ruler of three Mon-speaking provinces of Bassein, Pegu and Martaban c. 1296. With his domain now much enlarged, Wareru sought and received recognition by Yuan China in 1298. Although he may have been of ethnic Mon or Shan background, Wareru's greatest legacy

3816-516: The 19th century. The future king was born Ma Gadu ( Mon : မဂဒူ ; Burmese : မဂဒူး , Burmese pronunciation: [mə gədú] ) on 20 March 1253 in the village of Tagaw Wun (near present-day Thaton in Mon State ), to poor peasants. His ethnic background was Mon , Shan or mixed Mon and Shan. He had a younger brother Ma Gada and a younger sister Hnin U Yaing . They grew up in their native village, located about 100 km north of

3922-527: The 20th century that Lithai made two larger than life bronze statues of Shiva and Vishnu . The statues are now on display in the National Museum in Bangkok . In 1341 when Sukhothai adopted Ceylon Theravada Buddhism or Lankavamsa (นิกายลังกาวงศ์), Luethai invited a monk from Ceylon, Sumana Thera, to Sukhothai and resided in this temple. In 1361 Lithai appointed the famous monk Mahasamī to be Sangharaja , Mahasami had also acquired his profound knowledge of

4028-672: The Battle of Sittaung River in 1583, King Naresuan of Phitsanulok (and crown prince of Ayutthaya) forcibly relocated people from Sukhothai and surrounding areas to the Southern Central plain , due to the war with the Burmese and an earthquake . Sukhothai repopulated again but declined due to successive Burmese–Siamese wars , especially the Burmese–Siamese War (1765–67) . In 1793 Rama I , after establishing Bangkok as

4134-477: The Indian ruler Asoka . Another possibility is the name refers to "Asoka trees" Saraca asoca that are common on the temple grounds. The temple attractions are the large 5-stage step pyramid stupa, a vihara, a mandapa, and foundations of smaller pagodas. Wat Tra Kuan ( Thai : วัดตระกวน ) is a small temple close to Ramkhamhaeng Monument north of Wat Mahathat. The original name of the temple is not Thai, according to

4240-740: The Irrigation Department, comprises earthenworks that stretched between Khao Phra Bat Yai Mountain and Khao Kio Ai Ma Mountain. There was a spillway and pipes to carry water across canals towards the city gates to be further reserved at the Traphang Ngoen and Traphang Thong lakes. Water from these reservoirs was used in the old city and the palace of Sukhothai. 17°01′16″N 99°42′13″E  /  17.02111°N 99.70361°E  / 17.02111; 99.70361 Fine Arts Department The Fine Arts Department ( Thai : กรมศิลปากร , RTGS :  Krom Sinlapakon )

4346-416: The Kingdom of Sukhothai during the reign of Sailuethai . In 1955 a stone inscription was discovered by the Fine Arts Department and called "Wat Sorasak stone inscription" also Inscription no. 49. It is now in the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum. Because of this stone inscription, the foundation year of Wat Sorasak can be dated to 1412. Nai Inthara Sorasak, the temple founder and the author of the stone inscription

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4452-523: The Memory of the World Register in 2003 by UNESCO . In 1907, Vajiravudh , as crown prince, conducted a two-month archaeological field trip to Nakhon Sawan, Kampheang Phet, Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai, Uttaradit , and Pitsanulok. He later published "Phra Ruang City Journey" ( Thai : เที่ยวเมืองพระร่วง ; RTGS :  Thiao Muang Phra Ruang ) to promote historical and archaeological study by

4558-612: The Ministry of Culture from 1952 until 1957 (when the ministry was dissolved), and again in 2002 when the ministry was re-established. The Fine Arts Department is responsible for the study and management of archaeological sites and objects, as well as the operation of the country's national museums , which it does under the legal framework of the Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, B.E. 2504 (1961). It also covers intangible cultural heritage , literature, and historical archives. Among its constituent bureaus are

4664-656: The Pagan army from Dala, and drive the invaders out of the Irrawaddy delta . The victory proved decisive. At Pagan, the devastating defeat broke the tenuous truce between Kyawswa and his three brother viceroy-generals. Kyawswa would seek Mongol protection in January 1297, only to be overthrown by the brothers in the following December. The brothers would be preoccupied with the inevitable Mongol reprisal until 1303. In all, neither Pagan nor its successor states would attempt

4770-399: The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum. Wat Chetuphon ( Thai : วัดเชตุพล ) is a temple located about two kilometers south of the southern city wall, which surrounds the historic city of Sukhothai. According to Wat Sorasak Inscription, the temple have been built before 1412 and was restored in 1970-1972 by the Fine Arts Department. A moat and a brick wall surround this temple and in the center stands

4876-519: The Tipitaka during long studies in Ceylon. He renovated and enlarged the temple. On November 23, 1361 Lithai had ordained to become the monk, thus the first Siamese king who spent time in the Buddhist monastic life. A tradition which continue until present day. Wat Chang Lom ( Thai : วัดช้างล้อม ) is a temple complex consist of a large stupa in Lanka style with the remains of a gallery, the ruins of

4982-463: The abbot of Ratchathani Temple. Locals also contributed to the collection by donating many historical objects. Most of the objects on display in the main museum building, come from Sukhothai, others were found in Si Satchanalai , Kamphaeng Phet , Phichit and Phetchabun . The collection including Buddha images and Hindu god sculptures from Wat Phra Phai Luang and Wat Mahathat, sculptures from

5088-404: The ancient soldiers and people, the kings went through the hidden passageway and address the people through a hole, making them believed the voice they were hearing was actually the Buddha's. Wat Saphan Hin ( Thai : วัดสะพานหิน ) or Wat Taphan Hin ( Thai : วัดตะพานหิน ) is located on the 200 metres hill above the plain of Sukhothai. The name of the temple means Stone Bridge Monastery, since there

5194-592: The associated historical parks in Kamphaeng Phet and Si Satchanalai . Sukhothai Historical Park is managed by the Fine Arts Department , Ministry of Culture . The protection of the area was first announced in the Royal Gazette on 6 June 1962. The enabling law is the Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, B.E. 2504 (1961) as amended by Act (No. 2), B.E. 2535 (1992). Wat Mahathat or Mahathat Temple ( Thai : วัดมหาธาตุ )

5300-438: The basic pattern of Thai art ; however, most of stucco arts are now kept at Ramkhamhaeng National Museum . Wat Sa Si ( Thai : วัดสระศรี ) is a small temple close to Ramkhamhaeng Monument. Wat Sa Si is beautifully situated in the midst of Traphang-Trakuan lake northwest of Wat Mahathat. Due to its location, the temple is one of the most beautiful place in Sukhothai. The temple has a Lanka styled stupa . The vihara of Wat Sa Si

5406-400: The chief of the village. Over the next few years, he enlarged the village into a small town named Donwun, and built up defenses around it. (His manpower may have been swelled by Mon-speaking refugees from Haribhunjaya , driven out by Tai king Mangrai . ) By 1284/85, the commoner had set his sights on the governorship at Martaban itself. That a small-time chief like him would contemplate such

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5512-404: The city and focus on tripitaka study, therefore this group called "city monks" or Kamawasi ( Thai : คามวาสี ). The other group preferring to practice meditation and often lived in monasteries outside the city in quiet forest areas, therefore "forest monks" or Aranyawasi ( Thai : อรัญญวาสี ). Wat Chang Rop was one of the temples for forest monks during that time. The main structure of the temple

5618-482: The coronation ceremony c. 5 April 1287. His royal style later became known in Mon as Wareru. The declaration did not elicit any action by Pagan, which was amidst its death throes. The empire formally fell on 1 July 1287 when the king was assassinated by one of his sons Prince Thihathu of Prome . Two years of interregnum followed. In the beginning, Wareru was just one of several petty strongmen that had sprouted across

5724-430: The dry season of 1295–1296 (also reported as 1293–1294), a sizable Pagan army led by generals Yazathingyan of Mekkhaya and Thihathu of Pinle (not Prince Thihathu of Prome, the patricide) invaded to retake the entire southern coast. The Pagan army captured Dala and laid siege to Pegu. The city was starving when Wareru's troops from Martaban arrived and broke the siege. The combined Martaban–Pegu forces went on to dislodge

5830-415: The east of the main stupa on a small island in the middle of the lake. In the Sukhothai time, the ordination hall was separated by a water area from the rest of the temple complex to symbolize purity. Today only foundation bricks, some fragments of columns and a pedestal on which probably used to be a Buddha image are visible. Wat Traphang Thong ( Thai : วัดตระพังทอง ) means golden lake monastery. The temple

5936-567: The emperor's court, and received the emperor's recognition in June/July 1298. The Mongols knew that Wareru was then a vassal of Ram Khamhaeng, and recognized Wareru anyway because they did not want a strong state to emerge in Southeast Asia, even of Tais. After receiving Mongol recognition, Wareru reigned for another 8 and a half years. Based on the chronicles' lack of coverage, the years apparently were uneventful. Then in January 1307,

6042-403: The end of the 13th century. Wareru's kingdom would not only survive but also thrive to become the wealthiest state of all post-Pagan kingdoms well into the 16th century. The success and longevity of the kingdom aided the emergence of "Mons as a coherent ethnicity" in the 14th and 15th centuries. His second legacy was the law treatise Wareru Dhammathat (also known as Code of Wareru). The Code

6148-519: The entire upper valley of the Chao Phraya River (then known simply as Menam , 'mother of waters', the generic Thai name for rivers.) Traditional Thai historians considered the founding of the Sukhothai Kingdom as the beginning of the Thai nation because little was known about the kingdoms prior to Sukhothai. Modern historical studies demonstrate that Thai history began before Sukhothai. Yet

6254-452: The former empire. His realm covered approximately modern day Mon State and southern Kayin State . To his east was his overlord Sukhothai. To his south lay the Pagan province of Tavoy (Dawei), which too was in revolt. To his north were Pegu, and Dala, ruled by Akhamaman and Prince Kyawswa respectively. Situated on the upper Tenasserim coast, Martaban was an island of stability during

6360-410: The former layout can be seen. The largest stupa is an example of the Lanka - Sukhothai style with bell shaped. Buildings are arranged around the number of smaller stupas. Located on the east side of stupa have Ayutthaya period building. An ordination hall is located on the eastern border of the temple. Wat Pa Mamuang or Pa Mamuang Temple ( Thai : วัดป่ามะม่วง ) means the mango forest monastery and

6466-404: The foundation of Sukhothai is still a celebrated event. Pho Khun Ban Muang and his brother Ram Khamhaeng expanded the Sukhothai Kingdom. To the south, Ramkamhaeng subjugated the kingdoms of Supannabhum and Sri Thamnakorn ( Tambralinga ) and, through Tambralinga, adopted Theravada as the state religion. To the north, Ramkamhaeng put Phrae and Muang Sua (Luang Prabang) under tribute . To

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6572-407: The galleries around the mandapa and the door frame. To the west, there is a slightly smaller mandapa with a Buddha image, which is called by the locals "Phra Sri Ariya" ( Maitreya ). Traces of black floral patterns can be identified on the walls. There is a vihara, of which only the foundations and a few fragments of columns can be seen today. About 100 meters south of the moat is an ordination hall on

6678-410: The governor as well as a marriage alliance between the governor and his younger sister, with the wedding to be held at Donwun. It was merely a ploy to get the governor out of Martaban. Surprisingly, Aleimma took the bait, and made a fateful trip to Donwun with a contingent of troops. On the night of the wedding, while Aleimma's guards were drunk, Gadu's men killed them, and assassinated the governor. It

6784-509: The intercession of the monks. He brought Tarabya, Theindya and their two young children to Martaban. But Tarabya was found plotting an attempt on Wareru's life, and was executed. Wareru was now king of three Mon-speaking regions of Lower Burma. He had reconstituted a major portion of Pagan's Lower Burma holdings: the Irrawaddy delta (present-day Ayeyarwady Region ) in the west to the Pegu province ( Yangon Region and southern Bago Region in

6890-515: The interregnum. The multi-party war among the sons of the fallen king in Lower Burma never reached Martaban. The closest it came to was in 1287–1288 when Prince Thihathu the patricide laid siege to Pegu. Even when Prince Kyawswa eventually emerged as king of Pagan on 30 May 1289, the new king had no real army, and posed no threat to Pegu or Martaban. Indeed, Wareru's immediate concern was not Kyawswa but Tarabya , who had gained control of both Pegu and Dala and their surrounding districts. Nevertheless,

6996-407: The king was assassinated by his two grandsons—the two sons of Tarabya. Despite his having raised them, the boys held a grudge against their grandfather for the father's death. On one Saturday in January 1307, they repeatedly stabbed their unsuspecting grandfather to death. The boys were caught, and executed. The king was only 53. Because he left no male heir, his younger brother Gada succeeded with

7102-427: The king was far away on a military expedition in the south, the couple, with a load of gold and silver, and about 270 of their retainers and troops fled to Tagaw Wun. (According to George Cœdès , this was a legend. Michael Aung-Thwin states that the elopement story is probably "a trope" to link the early kings of Martaban and those of Siam, and may not be historical. ) Back at Tagaw Wun, Gadu with his troops became

7208-442: The late 14th century. Excavations by the Fine Arts Department in 1963 and from 1970 to 1971, the temple were restored. There is a large, bell-shaped stupa on a high, square base. Around the base of stupa are the remains of unique stucco reliefs depicting many-armed deities with flower vases, their clothing and jewelry attest to the fashion in the time of Sukhothai Kingdom . Between the deities, there are lions and elephants. The vihara

7314-571: The late-12th or early-13th century as a Hindu Shrine for Vishnu and the place for the Thiruppavai ceremony before the liberation from Lawo and foundation of Sukhothai Kingdom . The temple has three well-preserved laterite prangs , representing the Hindu trinity, enclosed by a double rampart and a moat. The lower parts of prangs are apparently Khmer , while the upper have been expanded or renovated by Thais in brick and stucco. The central prang

7420-457: The life of Buddha (Jataka) are engraved. These slates are the oldest surviving examples of Thai art of drawing. East of mandapa are the ruins of vihara with column fragments and three Buddha image pedestals. North of the Mandapa are the ruins of another small vihara and another smaller mandapa with a Buddha image. The entire complex is surrounded by a moat. There is a legend that to boost morale of

7526-529: The lower Tenasserim coast briefly in the 1320s. ) Wareru's immediate acts were to consolidate his rule across the newly won territories. He appointed his trusted minister Laik-Gi governor of Pegu , and his brother-in-law Min Bala governor of Myaungmya in the Irrawaddy delta. Because he did not have a male heir, his younger brother Gada became the de facto heir. By 1298, Wareru felt strong enough that he sent

7632-485: The mandapa, there is a huge 11 meters wide and 15 meters high seated Buddha image called "Phra Achana", which was mentioned in Ramkhamhaeng stele . The Mandapa has a square base of 32 meters on each side and 15 meters high, and its walls are three feet thick. In the south wall there is a narrow staircase passage which can be used to reach the roof. In this passage more than 50 slates were discovered on which images from

7738-529: The mid-13th century, the Tai tribes led by Si Indradit rebelled against the Khmer governor at Sukhodaya and established Sukhothai as an independent Tai state and remained the center of Tai power until the end of the fourteenth century. Prior to the 13th century, a succession of Tai kingdoms existed in the northern highlands including the Ngoenyang (centered on Chiang Saen , predecessor of Lan Na ) kingdom and

7844-554: The middle to the Martaban province ( Mon State and southern Kayin State ) on the upper Tenasserim coast. But he did not control other former Pagan territories farther south such as Tavoy (Dawei), Mergui (Myeik) and Tenasserim (Taninthayi). If he had designs on the southern territories, he did not act upon them. After all, his overlord Sukhothai itself had designs on the Tenasserim coast. (Wareru's grandnephews Saw O (r. 1311–1323) and Saw Zein (r. 1323–1330) would later occupy

7950-477: The monks from Sri Thamnakorn propagate the Theravada religion in Sukhothai. In 1283, Ramkamhaeng is said to have invented Thai script , incorporating it into the controversial Ramkamhaeng Stele discovered by Mongkut 600 years later. It was also during this period that the first contacts with Yuan dynasty were established and Sukhothai began sending trade missions to China. One well-known export of Sukhothai

8056-442: The peace between the two neighboring strongmen held. Each was focused on consolidating his region. At Martaban, c. 1290/91, Wareru commissioned a dhammathat (customary law book) to be compiled in Mon , the main language of his nascent kingdom. He appointed a royal commission, which returned with the legal treatise that came to be known as Wareru Dhammathat and Wagaru Dhammathat ("Code of Wareru/Wagaru"). (The compilation

8162-427: The ponds. In the southwest, there are the remains of a 1.5-meter-high (4.9 ft) brick platform on which they found ashes and bones inside, so It can be assumed that it was the royal cremation place. The Ramkhamhaeng stele was discovered here by Mongkut . He also discovered the so-called "Manangasila Throne" ( Thai : พระแท่นมนังคศิลาอาสน์ ), an approximately 1m x 2, 50m x 15 cm large slab of gray stone, which

8268-457: The pre-Sukhothai period (about 13th century), Sukhothai artifacts from the 14th and 15th centuries, early Ayutthaya artifacts from about 1351 to 1488, porcelain from the Yuan , Ming and Qing dynasties, which was found during the excavations in Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai. Wat Si Sawai or Si Sawai Temple ( Thai : วัดศรีสวาย ) is one of the oldest temples in Sukhothai. The temple was founded in

8374-543: The principal Buddha image of Wat Suthat , which was the principal Buddha image of Wat Mahathat, the biggest temple in Sukhothai. In 1833 Mongkut , during his monkhood, travelled to Sukhothai and discovered the controversial Ramkhamhaeng stele in Wat Mahathat and other artifacts, now in the National Museum in Bangkok. The formal name of this stone is The King Ram Khamhaeng Inscription Documentary heritage inscribed on

8480-505: The provincial capital of Martaban (present-day Mottama in Mon State ), then part of the Pagan Empire . When he was about 19, c. 1272, Gadu took over his father's side business of trading goods with the Siamese kingdom of Sukhothai to the east. He joined a convoy of about 30 merchants, and began traveling to the royal city of Sukhothai . After a short stint, he took a job at the royal elephant stables in Sukhothai, and rose through

8586-512: The public. The work has been used by later archaeologists and historians including Damrong Rajanubhab , the founder of the modern Thai educational system and George Coedès , a 20th-century scholar of southeast Asian archaeology and history. In July 1988 the historical park was officially opened. On 12 December 1991, it was declared a World Heritage Site as part of the Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns together with

8692-731: The ranks to become the Captain of the Stables by the beginning of King Ram Khamhaeng 's reign, c. 1279. Impressed by the commoner, the new king awarded Gadu the title of Saw Di-Dan-Ri (စောဋိဋံရည်), or Saw Li-Lat-She (စောလီလပ်ရှဲ). befitting an officer in his Household Corps . According to Mon and Thai chronicles, Gadu repaid by eloping with the king's daughter. By 1281/82, he had become romantically involved with Princess May Hnin Thwe-Da , (Me Nang Soy-Dao; Thai : แม่นางสร้อยดาว , RTGS :  Mae-nang Soidao ; "Lady Soidao"). So when

8798-558: The reign of Pho Khun Sri Naw Namthom who was the ruler of Sukhothai and the peripheral city of Sri Satchanalai (modern day Si Satchanalai District in Sukhothai Province ). Sukhothai had enjoyed substantial autonomy until it was re-conquered around 1180 by the Mons of Lawo under Khomsabad Khlonlampong . Two brothers, Pho Khun Bangklanghao and Pho Khun Phameung took Sukhothai from Mon hands in 1239. Khun (ขุน) before becoming

8904-405: The remains of elephants statues and fragments of the Buddha image. The Thuriang Kilns ( Thai : เตาทุเรียง ) are ruins of the old celadon factory, which may have been founded in the late 13th century, are situated near the city moat near Wat Phra Phai Luang. This is a site where Sukhothai celadons were made. So far, 49 kilns have been discovered in 3 different areas: 37 lie north of the moat, 9 to

9010-400: The ruins of an ordination hall with a small terrace, six columns and a staircase on the eastern side. This layout differs from the standard Sukhothai temple, usually east of stupa should be vihara . Simple Bai Sema and the foundations of several smaller stupas are arranged around the ordination hall. In 1960s Archaeologists found a bronze Buddha image on the premises. This unique Buddha image,

9116-720: The shape of a lotus bud, which characterizes Sukhothai architectural arts. Its base is adorned with 168 stuccoed sculptings of Buddhist disciples walking with their hands clasped together in salutation. The eight smaller stupas, of which the four at the corners are in Mon Haripunchai - Lanna style and the four in between show Khmer influence. At both sides of the main stupa has two nine-metre-tall (30 ft) standing Buddha images called Phra Attharot ( Thai : พระอัฏฐารส ). The temple also includes an assembly hall ( vihara ), mandapa , ordination hall , and 200 subordinate stupas. Noen Prasat or Palace Hill ( Thai : เนินปราสาท )

9222-429: The south, near the city wall, and 3 to the east. The vaulted brick kilns measure 1.5 – 2 metres wide and 4.5 metres long. The ceramic wares found here are generally large bowls and jars; they have a matt yellowish grey glaze, and a design, usually of a flower, a fish, or a whirling circle, painted in black. Saritphong Dam or Thamnop Phra Ruang ( Thai : เขื่อนสรีดภงค์ หรือ ทำนบพระร่วง ) is an ancient dam, now restored by

9328-510: The south, the king's army never got past Pegu (Bago), which was headed by another warlord Akhamaman , and failed both times to take the town in 1285–86. Meanwhile, Gadu consolidated his control of the Martaban province. He first rebuilt the fortifications of Martaban, and then conquered Kampalani, (believed to be a small Shan state in present-day Kayin State) whose chief had refused to submit. After Kampalani, all other chiefs fell in line. Gadu

9434-478: The stupa area at some distance. East of the Stupa are the ruins of a vihara with a Buddha image and round and square laterite pillars. Wat Chang Rop (also "Rob") ( Thai : วัดช้างรอบ ) lies two kilometers west of Sukhothai in the wooded hills as a forest temple. In Sukhothai period the Buddhist monks could be divided according to their way of life in two groups. The first group preferred to live in monasteries within

9540-419: The temple has three laterite prang , but only one still preserved in good condition. Archaeologists suspect that the three prangs originally stood on a common laterite base. All three prangs were open to the east, with doors flanked by columns which carry a richly decorated tympanum depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. The doors on the other three sides were so-called "false doors". The tympanum The complex

9646-414: The temple is a footprint of the Buddha, which is located in a modern mandapa next to the stupa. The footprint was created in 1359 out of dark gray stone by Lithai . Wat Traphang Thong is the only temple of the historical park, in which an active community of monks lives. Wat Tuek ( Thai : วัดตึก ) lies approximately 400 meters west of the O Gate ( Thai : ประตูอ้อ ) outside the old Sukhothai. This temple

9752-500: The title of Hkun Law. Wareru's greatest legacy was the establishment of a Mon-speaking kingdom, which enabled the preservation and continuation of Mon culture. Despite its fragility—after Wareru, the polity devolved into a loose confederation until the 1380s—the Kingdom of Martaban became the only remaining Mon-speaking polity from the 1290s onwards. The older Mon kingdoms of Dvaravati and Haripunjaya (in present-day Thailand) had been subsumed into Tai states of Sukhothai and Lan Na by

9858-459: The west, Ramkhamhaeng helped the Mons under Wareru (who is said to have eloped with Ramkamhaeng's daughter) to free themselves from Pagan domination and establish a kingdom at Martaban (they later moved to Pegu ). So, Thai historians considered the Kingdom of Martaban a Sukhothai tributary. In practice, Sukhothai domination may not have extended that far. With regard to culture, Ramkhamhaeng had

9964-415: Was c. 11 January 1285. Gadu went on to seize Martaban. His insurrection was one of several revolts around the country against King Narathihapate of Pagan. The king had already lost the support of his key vassals, including his own sons, who ruled key Lower Burma ports (Prome, Dala and Bassein). Without the full support of his sons, the king did not have enough troops to quell rebellions everywhere. In

10070-400: Was a stucco reliefs on the outer sides, which can be seen on historical photos depicting scenes the life of Buddha. East of mandapa are the remains of a vihara with dimensions of 10 × 14 meters with some laterite pillars and a greatly dilapidated Buddha image made of laterite. The vihara is surrounded by several smaller stupa bases. Wat Sorasak ( Thai : วัดสรศักดิ์ ) was founded in the time of

10176-487: Was a temple of the prestigious forest monks in which the Sangharaja resided. According to legend, Ramkhamhaeng planted a mango grove in front of the city. Here Luethai founded a royal temple, Wat Pa Mamuang was called. He built a Mandapa for the "Devalayamahaksetra", a Brahmin shrine. Although Sukhothai kings were devoted Buddhists, the royal Brahmin ceremonies was still practiced in the court. The excavations found in

10282-686: Was built at beginning of the 13th century. Although the typical Khmer stonework are present everywhere. The buildings are arranged rather scattered over a relatively extensive grounds. There is a small Khmer style ordination hall on a high stone pedestal with eight Bai sema on the separate stone pedestals. Scattered on the wooded grounds are the remains of many unidentifiable stone structures possibly stupa or vihara. Normally monk residence were built from non-durable materials and are therefore no longer discernible. However, at Wat Aranyik there are some small cells made of stone, which could be perhaps once been monk residence. Wat Chedi Ngam ( Thai : วัดเจดีย์งาม )

10388-490: Was found in 1399 by the widow of Luethai , the Queen Mother, the "Satṃtec brah Rājadebī Sri Cuḷālakṣana Arrgarājamahesī Debadhòranī Tilakaratana". She was the daughter of Lithai . By her husband, Luethai they had two sons, Sailuethai , and Asoka. It is not clear why she named the temple Asokaram. One possible reason is to be a monument for her son, Asoka, other reason might have been even the name of an ancestor or even

10494-417: Was founded in the time of Sukhothai Kingdom . In 1970 to 1971 the temple was restored by the Fine Arts Department. On the small temple grounds there is a small mandapa with a side length of eight meters contains a seated Buddha statue made of bricks that was once covered with stucco. The mandapa has three brick walls and a porch on the east side which is similar to Wat Si Chum, but is much smaller scale. There

10600-455: Was founded in the time of Sukhothai Kingdom in the reign of Sailuethai in 1399. The name of Asokaram was forgotten for a long time. Locals called the temple "Wat Salat Dai" because the terrain of Euphorbia antiquorum ( Thai : สลัดได ) was overgrown in the temple area. In 1958 treasure hunters dug the stupa, they found a stone inscription. Today it is on display in the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum. The stone inscription informed that Wat Asokaram

10706-499: Was part of a wider regional pattern in which the former lands of the empire as well as its neighboring states produced legal texts modeled after Pagan's, between 1275 and 1317. ) But Pagan was not completely out of the picture yet. It still claimed its former lands. A truce of sorts between King Kyawswa and his three generals was reached in February 1293. Around the same time, c. 1293, Wareru and Tarabya entered into an alliance as

10812-564: Was probably an officer from Ayutthaya Kingdom , sent by Intha Racha to secure the interests of Ayutthaya over Sukhothai. According to the stone inscription, there was a great stupa, vihara, a building for Buddha image in the temple complex. The Lanka style stupa was surrounded by elephants and decorated with a seated Buddha image on a square base. The stupa is reminiscent of Ramkhamhaeng 's Wat Chang Lom in Si Satchanalai Historical Park . The Fine Arts Department found

10918-587: Was still concerned about Pagan, and sought the backing of his father-in-law. By 1287, a diplomatic mission led by his minister Laik-Gi had successfully secured Ram Khamhaeng's support. The king of Sukhothai acknowledged Gadu as a vassal king, and awarded the royal title of " Chao Fa Rua" ( Thai : เจ้าฟ้ารั่ว , "Lord Fa Rua", [t͡ɕaːw˥˩ faː˥.ruːa˥˩] )) also reported in Mon and Burmese as "Binnya Waru" ( Burmese : ဗညား ဝါရူး , [bəɲá wàjú] )) and Smim Warow ( Mon : သ္ငီ ဝါရောဝ် ). On 30 January 1287, Gadu declared himself king of Martaban. He held

11024-601: Was the Sangkalok ( Song dynasty pottery). This was the only period that Siam produced Chinese-styled ceramics, which fell out of use by the 14th century. Sukhothai domination was short-lived. After the death of Ramkhamhaeng in 1298, Sukhothai's tributaries broke away. Ramkhamhaeng was succeeded by his son, Loe Thai . The vassal kingdoms, first Uttaradit in the north, then soon after the Laotian kingdoms of Luang Prabang and Vientiane (Wiangchan), liberated themselves. In 1319

11130-477: Was the basic law of the Mon-speaking kingdom until the mid-16th century when it was adopted by the conquering First Toungoo Empire . Translated into Burmese, Pali and Siamese, it became the basic law of the empire. The Code was adapted into the later dhammathats of the successor states of the empire, including Ayutthaya Siam and Restored Toungoo Burma. Various chronicles agree on the general outline of

11236-490: Was the establishment of the only Mon-speaking polity left standing after the 1290s. The success of the kingdom helped foster the emergence of the Mon people as a coherent ethnicity in the 14th and 15th centuries. Furthermore, the legal code he commissioned—the Wareru Dhammathat —is one of the oldest extant dhammathats ( legal treatises ) of Myanmar, and greatly influenced the legal codes of Burma and Siam down to

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