Sukhothai Historical Park

70-square-kilometre UNESCO archaeological park around the 13th-century capital of the first Thai kingdom.

The Sukhothai Historical Park occupies the old walled capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom, founded around 1238 and at its height under King Ramkhamhaeng in the late 13th century. The site covers 70 square kilometres and contains the remains of 193 monuments — 21 temples within the central rectangular enclosure (about 2 km by 1.5 km, defined by three concentric ramparts and moats) and more scattered through the surrounding plain.

The park is divided into five zones. The central zone, ticketed separately, contains the most famous temples — Wat Mahathat, Wat Si Sawai, Wat Sa Si, and the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum. Northern, southern, eastern, and western zones each have their own ticket. The best way to see the central zone is by bicycle, rented for around 30 baht just outside the eastern gate; the outer zones are best reached by motorbike or songthaew. Allow two days for a thorough visit.

Open daily 06:30 to 17:30; evenings during the November Loi Krathong festival the central zone is dramatically lit and stays open late.

things to do sight unesco
A story
Between 1978 and 1988, with help from UNESCO, the Thai Fine Arts Department restored the park's 193 monuments, dredged the moats, replanted ponds with lotus, and removed the village that had grown up among the ruins. The result is one of Southeast Asia's most carefully presented archaeological sites — almost too immaculate, some say, but unforgettable to walk through.