Lower North of Thailand: Sukhothai Historical Park - Birthplace of the Thai Nation | สุโขทัย

#Thailand #travel #history ☕ Please help support my channel by buying me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/willetts... Thank you! 🙏 Welcome to the capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom and home to the popular to visit Sukhothai Historical Park which, according to Thai historians, is said to be the birthplace of the Thai nation. The site is one of THE things to visit in Thailand and if you’re making your way up to northern Thailand then you should really allow some time to come here as it’s spectacular. The ruins (numbering around 200) cover a huge area of some 70 sq km – and word of warning when visiting them – it can be very hot so do try to stick to shady areas (there’s plenty of trees), wear a hat and have plenty of water with you. Meaning “The Dawn of Happiness”, Sukhothai was originally a trade centre in the Lavo Kingdom (centred on today’s Lopburi), which itself was partly controlled by the Khmer Empire. This relationship ended when, in 1238, Si Indrathit revolted and gained Sukhothai’s independence, thus creating the Sukhothai Kingdom which would last for the next 200 years before falling under the influence of neighbouring Ayutthaya. The kingdom expanded to its greatest extent during the reign of Ram Khamhaeng the Great (who ruled between 1279–1298), with some historians saying he introduced Theravada Buddhism and the initial Thai script to the kingdom. Ram Khamhaeng also initiated relations with China’s Yuan dynasty, through which the kingdom developed the techniques to produce and export ceramics. After his reign, the kingdom fell into decline with tributaries breaking away. In 1349, during the reign of Li Thai, Sukhothai was invaded by the Ayutthaya Kingdom, where it remained a tributary state until it was annexed in 1438. During this time, the capital was moved to present-day Phitsanulok. In 1583, King Naresuan forcibly relocated people from Sukhothai to the Southern Central plains due to war with the Burmese. The city's walls form a rectangle about 2km east-west by 1.6km north-south. The city was accessed via a gate in the centre of each wall. Inside are the remains of the royal palace and 26 temples. In 1991, the site here, along with that of Sukhothai’s second city Si Satchanalai, 55km to the north, as well as the historical park in Kamphaeng Phet, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Location of Sukhothai Historical Park: 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/5w5ASDPwdAzm4...