What we now call Sukhothai Historical Park was once the capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom, what is seen as the beginning of Siam (the former name of Thailand). And it is now called the first capital city of Siam. Nearby are likewise ancient cities to be found at Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet. Architecture-wise you can see the original design of Hindu & Khmer influence. Sukhothai Historical Park is very big and stretches out over a big area west of modern Sukhothai city. Most people will visit the inner parts of the formerly Sukhothai city with many ancient temples and Buddha images. Visiting Sukhothai Historical Park by bicycle is great way to experience the park and to imagine how the temples must have looked when the wooden roof tiles were still complete. A place you must have visited when traveling in Thailand!
Originally Sukhothai was a Khmer settlement called Sukhodaya (pre 13th century) and mid 13th century Sukhothai was established what is considered to be the beginning of the Thai nation. In the following centuries Sukhothai was expanded and ruled by different dynasties, hence the different architectural designs.
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