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If exploring ancient ruins sounds like fun
to you, include in your itinerary a visit to the Si Satchanalai
Historical Park located on the banks of Yom River at Tambon Muang
Kao.
The park lies in what was an ancient town, formerly known as "Muang
Chailang." It was named "Si Satchanalai" during the reign of
the Phra Ruang Dynasty when a new administrative center was established
to replace Chaliang. Ruins of 134 monuments have been discovered with in
the parks.
Si Satchanalai is only 55 kilometers from the town of Sukhothai. The
park, which covers some 2,000 acres of land, was the location of an
ancient community.
Within the town walls of the old Si Satchanalai were Royal palaces and
residences of court officials, as well temples, while the townspeople
built their homes outside the walls, specifically along the eastern wall
which curved along the bank of the Yom River. Moats surrounded the
laterite walls and the forts, and altogether there were seven entrances
into the enclosed town.
Si Satchanalai architecture reflects a combination of Khmer, Sri Lankan
and Thai styles. Historical records show that King Lithai was deeply
interested in Buddhism. When he took up residence in Si Satchanalai in
1345, he wrote "Trai Phum Phraruang," a book of Buddhist
philosophy.
 Found
just inside the northern walls is the Phanom Pholeng Mountain and
Suwankiri Mountain, which is noted for a large Sri Lankan-style
pagoda on its top. At the center of the town are four significant
temples: Wat Chang Lom, Wat Chedi Ched Thaew, Wat Suan Kaew Utayan
Yai, and Wat Nag Phraya.
Climb to the top of the hill supporting Wat Khao Phanom Pholeng
for a view over the town and river.
 The
Wat Chedi Jet Thaew has a group of stupas in classic Sukhothai
style. Wat Chang Lom has a chedi surrounded by Buddha statues in
niches and guarded by the fine remains of elephant buttresses. Walk
along the riverside for 2km or go back down the main road and cross the
river to Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat, a very impressive temple
with a well-preserved praang and a variety of seated and standing
Buddhas.
Si Satchanalai-Sukhothai was famous for its beautiful pottery, much of
which was exported. The Indonesians were once keen collectors and fine
specimens can be seen in the National Museum in Jakarta. Much of the
pottery was made in Si Satchnalai. Rejects, buried in the fields, are
still being found. Several of the old kilns have been carefully
excavated and can be viewed along with original pottery sa mples
at the Si Satchanalai Center for Study & Preservation of Sangkhalok
Kilns. So far the center has opened two phases of its construction
to the public a site in Chaliang with excavated pottery samples and one
kiln; and a larger outdoor site, 2km northwest of the Si Satchanalai
ruins. The exhibits are very well presented, although there are no
English labels.
The value of a trip to the old town of Si Satchanalai is not limited to
the pleasure of seeing old magnificent ruins. The art, values, and the
religious convictions of the ancient Thais are evident in everything
that is left at the Si Satchanalai Historical Park. They are the ancient
records that have a lot to tell about the glory of the Sukhothai
Kingdom.
The Si Satchanalai Historical Park is open daily between 8.30am-4.30pm.
You can reach the park by taking Highway No.101 to Km.64. Turn
left crossing the bridge over the River Yom, then turn right for another
2 kms.
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