Sukhothai: the Birthplace of Thailand
One can feel the historical significance of Sukhothai when arriving to see its impressive ruins and well-preserved artefacts that transport the mind back to Thailand’s grand kingdom of the 13th and 14th centuries. The period of the Sukhothai Kingdom’s rule is known as Thailand’s ‘golden age’, though it was in actuality just a short spurt of time. Since there is little historic record prior to the Sukhothai Kingdom’s rule, this time is seen as the ‘cradle of the Thai nation’ when a creative revolution was birthed and the Thais flourished. The most traditional forms of Thai architecture, language and religious art were shaped during this cultural bloom.
Photo: King Ramkhamhaeng monument in Sukhothai
King Ramkhamhaeng
The most famous king of the Sukhothai Kingdom, King Ramkhamhaeng, reigned from 1275 to 1317 and expanded the land coverage to nearly all of what is present day Thailand. Ramkhamhaeng’s form of government has come to represent the Sukhothai in its “father-son” relationship, or a so called patrocracy. He encouraged free trade among his people and made amiable relations with the Chinese Yuan dynasty; he was even said to have travelled to China twice. He is also accredited with creating the Thai’s first script as a foundation for what has developed into the current alphabet and his inscriptions are said to be the first Thai literature. Ramkhamhaeng’s open attitude towards spirituality and worship embedded Buddhism more securely in the Thai culture and encouraged the expression of religion through arts and sculpture.
Much of what is known of the Sukhothai Kingdom is based on the stone inscriptions in Old Sukhothai written by the King himself in 1291. Here King Ramkhamhaeng is described as a fair and just leader: "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 travel along the road together, leading their oxen on the way to trade and 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."
Photo: Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand
Sukhothai and Art
In addition to their advances in literature, the people of Sukhothai are noted for imaginative and inspiring works of art that now characterise Thai culture. The iconic depiction of walking Buddhas with more feminine, unisex features set these works apart as one aspect that has firmly placed the Sukhothai monoliths on the World Heritage List. This portrayal also welcomes members of both genders into the Buddhist religion with indications of equality when seeking spiritual enlightenment. With the expanded trade and travel routes, the production of glazed ceramics (sanghalonhk) with a Chinese influence were commonly fabricated and can still be seen in the Sukhothai Historical Park.
The historical importance of this dynasty is not only a thing of the past, the prosperity of the Sukhothai Kingdom is a source of pride for Thais today, and its influence has weaved its way into the threads of present Thai culture. When visiting the Sukhothai Historical Park that has been incorporated into the UNESCO list, the grandeur of the great capital is still evident and an idyllic afternoon is spent strolling through the well-manicured gardens that conjure up visions of Siam days of yore.
Photo: Three Kings Monument, Sukhothai Thailand
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