Sukhothai - TourismThailand.org - Tourism Authority of Thailand

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Ramkhamhaeng National Museum ����������������������
���������� Located on the right side of the Sukhothai Historical Park,
the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum houses many artefacts found
from archaeological excavations in Sukhothai, as well as, those given
by the locals. The museum is divided into three premises:
1. Lai Sue Thai Chet Roi Pi Memorial Building: This new building in front
of the major premises exhibits various artefacts from the Sukhothai
era such as Buddha images, tools, crockery, celedon and Sangkhalok
ceramic wares, and stone inscriptions.
2. Museum Building: There are two zones: downstairs displays artefacts
obtained from the surveys, excavations and restorations of ancient
remains of Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai, and Kamphaeng Phet. Upstairs
displays the Sukhothai’s stone inscriptions, bronze Buddha images,
images of gods, Sangkhalok water jars, ancient weapons, Sangkhalok
celedon wares, ancient money, and water pipes, which virtually demon-
strated the ancient Sukhothai’s water dyke control system.
3. Outdoor Museum: Located just outside surrounding the major
premises, the outdoor museum houses many art objects and antiques
such as stone Buddha images, stone carvings, Thai-style houses, replica
of an ancient kiln, and stone Thammachak or Wheel of the Doctrine.
Open daily from 9.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. The admission fee is 150 baht.
For a group tour, please contact the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
in advance at Charotwithithong Road, Tambon Mueang Kao, Amphoe
Mueang Sukhothai, Sukhothai 64210, Tel/ Fax. 0 5569 7367 www.
thailandmuseum.com
Wat Mahathat ������������ Located in the heart of the old town,
Wat Mahathat was the largest and principal temple of the Sukhothai
Kingdom. It is distinguished by a customary main chedi or pagoda in a
lotus-bud shape, a typical Sukhothai style. Surrounding the chedi are
eight smaller pagodas on the same base, which comprise 4 laterite
corn-shaped prangs at 4 cardinal points and 4 pagodas in the Lanna
style at the 4 corners. According to a survey, there are up to 200
pagodas of various styles, 10 wihans or image halls, 8 mondops or
square structures, 1 ubosot or ordination hall, and 4 ponds within Wat
Mahathat alone. To the east of the main chedi stands a large laterite
wihan formerly containing Thailand’s largest seated bronze Buddha
image Phra Si Sakaya Muni. The image has been relocated to Wat
Suthat in Bangkok. To the north and south feature mondops housing
a standing Buddha image called Phra Attharot.