Founded in 1238, the city of Sukhothai was the capital of the kingdom of the same name. Survived to our times recognized Buddhist temples Sukhothai World Heritage Site and are under the control of UNESCO. The town's name is translated from the Pali means "blossoming of happiness."

Kingdom became the first Thai state on the lands formerly owned by the whole power of the Khmer rulers of Cambodia. Founded Sukhothai General intraday together with other generals with the aim to expel the Khmer from the central region of Thailand. The state flourished for 200 years, it has been an influential religious and political center. It was at this time was created the present Thai alphabet, but instead of Khmer Hindu religion was recognized as a national school of Theravada Buddhism. Sukhothai in 1438 ceased to exist and was absorbed by the Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya it is at the moment one of the most powerful on Earth.

The territory of the Sukhothai Historical Park covers about 70 square kilometers and is divided into five parts, the most important is the central, here was concentrated the whole life of the capital.

The greatest temple of all the kingdom is Wat Mahathat, located in the heart of the historic city. Surrounded by lakes lotus consists of dozens of buildings and more than 200 chedi (stupas). He is also the best preserved temple in the complex Sukhothai.

In the northern part of the city is one of the oldest temples of Wat Phra kingdom Phai Luang. It was built by the Khmers and combines the elements of Buddhism and Hinduism. Scientists believe that it is the most important Khmer temple in the state, as well as Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai late. The temple consists of three high phrangov (stupas resemble corncobs), is a classic Khmer architecture.

Wat Si Chum in the north part of the city you can see the largest statue of Buddha Sukhothai era and one of the biggest in the history of Thailand. Its width is 11 meters and a height of about 15 meters. According to legend, once on top of the temple led staircase situated therein parishioners Buddha spoke and gave advice.

The main temple in the eastern part of Sukhothai is the Wat Chang Lom, which means "temple surrounded by elephants." It is the presence of statues of elephants at the base of the temple chedi indicates a clear influence of the architecture of Sri Lanka, which brought Buddhism to Thailand.

In the eastern part of the Sukhothai Wat Saphan worth noting Hin, situated on a hilltop. Translated the name means "Temple of the Stone Bridge", a name he received because it leads to the road, paved with stone slabs along the slope.

Despite borrowing from many cultures Sukhothai kingdom formed their own style of architecture that is different from all previously existing ones.