Meaning "Dawn of Happiness," Sukhothai is one of Thailand's most important cultural and historical centers. Roughly 430 kilometers (270 miles) north of Bangkok, Sukhothai was originally an outpost of the Khmer empire, before rival Thai princes united to overthrow the foreign rulers and establish their own kingdom. Founded in 1238, Sukhothai was the capital of the first Thai kingdom for over 125 years. Under King Ramkhamhaeng (reigned 1278–1318), Sukhothai expanded into a powerful empire, occupying parts of what is today Laos and Cambodia, and establishing diplomatic relations with several other states. As a political center, Sukhothai was eventually eclipsed by other Thai kingdoms. It fell under the domination of Ayutthaya in 1365, and then, by the late eighteenth century, came under the control of the new capital of Siam at Bangkok. However, Sukhothai remained the center of a uniquely Thai culture, language, and religion. Artworks, particularly sculptures, from the Sukhothai era are national treasures in Thailand and represent some of the finest Buddhist artifacts in the world. Much of the modern Thai language, including its written script, was developed during the Sukhothai period, taken in part from Khmer, Mon, and other regional language systems. Similarly, Thai reverence for the monarchy—a system that still dominates Thailand—stems from the Sukhothai era, with its establishment of centralized rule by a benevolent monarch.
Today, Sukhothai remains a focus of Thai culture. It is renowned for its many temples, ancient ruins, and the enormous Buddhist statutes that stand guard around the city and local countryside. Far removed from the hustle of bigger cities, Sukhothai offers the experience of a more traditional Thailand, steeped in a rich history.
Arne Kislenko
Further Reading
Gosling, Betty. (1991) Sukhothai: Its History, Culture, and Art. Singapore: Oxford University Press.
Klausner, William J. (1987) Thai Culture in Transition. Bangkok, Thailand: Siam Society.
Moore, Elizabeth, Philip Stott, and Suriyavudh Sukhasvasti. (1996) Ancient Capitals of Thailand. Bangkok, Thailand: Asia Books.
Wyatt, David K. (1994) Studies in Thai History. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Silkworm.
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