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Sukhothai,
North, Thailand |
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Sukhothai
was the first kingdom of the Thais in this Peninsula.
Two Princes-Pho Khun Pha Muang of Muang Rat
and Pho Khun Bang Klang Thao of Muang Bangyang-combined
their forces and fought the Khamers who commanded
an extensive empire throughout this part of
the world.
They drove the Khmers out of Sukhothai, a mojor
frontier post of the Khmer Empire, and established
it as their capital in 1238. Pho Khun Bang Klang
Thao, urged by the people to be King, Was enthroned
with the royal title of Pho Khun Si Indrathit.
King Si Indrathit had two sons. Pho Khun Ban Muang and Pho Khun
Ramkhamhaeng. After his dath, Pho Khun Ban Muang, succeeded
him. His brother, Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng, ascended to throne
in 1278 and reigned for forty years. He was Thailand's finest
warriors, King Ramkhamhaeng made Sukhothai a powerful and extensive
kingdom which included many parts of what are today neighboring
countries.
A number of ancient cities paid him tribute.
King Ramkhamkaeng opened direct political relations with China
and made two trips to China-the first in 1282 to visit the emperor
Kublai Khan and the second in 1300 after Kublai Khan's death.
From the second visit he brought back Chinese artisans who taught
the Thais the art of pottery. Today the old "Sangkhalok
Potteries" are eagerly sought by collectors. A major achievement of King Ramkhamhaeng was the revision of
various forms of Khmer alphabets into a system suitable for
the writing of Thai words. The alphabet that he invented in
1283 was essentially the same as that in use today.
During his reign there was prosperity and happiness. There was
water in the paddy fields and fish in the water. A stone inscription
reads in part, "This Muang Sukhothai is good. In the water
there are fish, in the field there is rice. The ruler does not
levy a tax on the people who riding their horses on the way
to sell. Whoever wants to trade in elephants, so trades. Whoever
wants to trade in horses, so trades.. Whoever wants to trade
in silver and gold, so trades"
King Ramkhamhaeng also promoted religion and culture and, through
his efforts, Buddhism made headway among the people. In spirational
faith gave birth to classic forms of Thai religious arts. Images
of the Lord Buddha sculpture during the Sukhothai Era are cultural
treasures which impart a feeling of peace and serenity. A total of eight kings ruled Sukhothai. The gradual decline
of Sukhothai occurred during the reigns of the last tow kings.
The end of this first Thai Kingdom occurred in 1365 when it
became a vassal state of Ayutthaya, a young and rising power
to the south. Ayutthaya became the capital of Thailand before
Bangkok.
Sukhothai Attractions |
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