Sukhothai - TourismThailand.org - Tourism Authority of Thailand

Tribun or a triple wall. The city has a rectangular plan measuring 1,300
metres wide and 1,800 metres long. It is surrounded by an earthen
rampart topped with laterite as the inner wall, with a double alternate
moat-and-mound outer enclosure. The moats also served as drainage
to prevent �ooding. In between each side stand the city gates and the
forts in the centre.
Wat Chana Songkhram �������������� Situated to the north of
Wat Mahathat and near to the town pillar shrine, Wat Chana Songkhram
was formerly known as Wat Ratchaburana. Its imposing building is the
main chedi in a bell shape of vast size. There is also a wihan, ordination
hall, and subordinate chedis surrounding the main one.
Noen Prasat Phra Ruang or the Royal Palace������������
��������������������������������������� The royal palace is situated to the
east, adjacent to Wat Mahathat. King Rama VI assumed that this area
was the royal compound. The Fine Arts Department restored it in 1983,
and the excavation revealed the ruins of the base of a royal building
built on a grand scale with receding tiers in the form of overturned
and upturned lotuses. The base is a tall rectangular shape measuring
27.5 x 51.5 metres with stairs in the front and at the back.
Wat Traphang Ngoen ���������������� Situated near Traphang
Ngoen Pond 300 metres to the west of Wat Mahathat is Wat Traphang
Ngoen with its customary main chedi in a lotus-bud shape with 4
stucco standing Buddha images in 4 niches at 4 directions. There is
also a walking Buddha image, wihan in front, while to the east sees
an island where an ubosot is located.
Wat Sa Si ����������� Situated northwest of Wat Mahathat is Wat Sa
Si. A round Ceylonese-style chedi is the main sanctuary located on
an island in the middle of the Traphang Trakuan Pond. In front of the
chedi, stands a large wihan, which houses a stucco Buddha image in
the Subduing Mara posture, while to the south lies a small chedi in
the Ceylonese – Sri Vijaya style containing niches of Buddha images
on 4 sides. Also, directly in front of this wihan is an ubosot on a small
island. Wat Sa Si is renowned for its scenic spot.
San Ta Pha Daeng��������������The San Ta Pha Daeng assembles
a single laterite tower dating from the �rst half of the 12 th century and
belonging to the Angkor Wat style of Khmer art. During the excavation
and restoration by the Fine Arts Department, fragments from images
of bejewelled Brahmanical divinities were found, now displayed in the
Ramkhamhaeng National Museum.
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