History

Before the foundation of Sukhothai the first Thai Kingdom the Khmers dominated many empires throughout Southeast Asia. In 1238, two Princes of Muang Rat and Muang Bangyang named Pho Khun Pha Muang and Pho Khun Bang Klang Thao joined their troops and successfully fought the Khmers out of Sukhothai. They established the capital and Pho Khun Bang Klang Thao was enthroned with the royal title of Pho Khun Si Indrathit.

King Si Indrathit had two sons, Pho Khun Ban Muang and Pho Khun Ramkhamkaeng. After his passing, Pho Khun Ban Muang, succeeded him until 1278 when his brother, Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng, ascended to throne. He became the first great King of Thailand. His reign lasted for forty years.

Besides making Sukhothai into a powerful and extensive kingdom (as recognized by his neighboring Kingdoms), King Ramkhamhaeng opened direct political relations with China and made two trips there during 1282 and 1300. From the second trip, he brought back Chinese craftsmen in order to train the Thais in the skills of making pottery. Today these skills are reflected in the famous “Sangkhalok”.

A well-known accomplishment of King Ramkhamhaeng was his invention of the Thai alphabet, which came from the revision of many forms of Khmer alphabets into a suitable system for the Thai writing. During his reign, there was prosperity and happiness, as reflected in this stone inscription, “…This Muang Sukhothai is good. In the water there are fish, in the fields there is rice. The ruler does not levy a tax on the people who travel along the road, 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…..”

Through the King’s efforts to promote religion and culture, Buddhism became common among the people, and this faith contributed to the growth of unity and advancement of the Kingdom. Also, the spiritual belief gave birth to classic forms of Thai religious arts. Sukhothai’s sculture images of the Lord Buddha are cultural heritages which present a feeling of peace and serenity that people experienced throughout the era.

In total there were eight kings who ruled Sukhothai. Over a period of time, a young power from the south called Ayutthaya was rising, and Sukhothai was gradually declining. Ayutthaya became the next capital of Thailand.

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