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Taken on: 8th November, 2011. Copyright: All Rights Reserved - See cheuleng's page of Flickr

Read more about Sukhothai

The ancient Thai capital of Sukhothai, a name meaning dawn of happiness, was founded in the 13th century and became the kingdom's first capital — existing between the years of 1238 and 1438. During that time, the Sukhothai Dynasty saw nine kings reign, the best known of whom was the third, King Ramkhamhaeng, who has been credited with both the creation of the modern-day Thai alphabet and the introduction of Theravada Buddhism to Thailand.

At its apex, the Sukhothai Kingdom stretched over much of modern-day Thailand (excepting the northeast, much of which remained under the control of the Khmers). The territory was gained both by military campaigns as well as diplomacy, the latter of which King Ramkhamhaeng was seen to be a master of. This period is seen as a Thai golden age where the Thai arts and culture prospered under the reign of a series of benevolent rulers. Trade flourished, and, in a step that had important ramifications in Thailand's ... Read our complete Sukhothai travel guide

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On the hoof Lunch Five Reasons why I prefer Photographing Sukhothai, Thailand over Angkor Wat, Cambodia Sukhothai, Thailand 47 48 51 49 50 40 45 46 33 30 27 37 24 32 35 23 25 26 22 34 36 29 28 21 Top of Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai Garland at Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai Standing Buddha, Wat Sa Si, Sukhothai Spires at Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai Standing Buddha, Wat Trampoen Ngoen, Sukhothai The great hand at Wat Si Chum, Sukhothai Wat Trampoen Ngoen, Sukhothai Seated Buddha, Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai Sitting Buddha, Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai Moss on the great hand, Wat Si Chum, Sukhothai Si Satchanalai Moment Wat Chedi Ched Thaeo 1 Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng Wat Sopharam Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo 2 Wat Phra Si Rattana Wat Chang Lom 1 Sukhothai sukhothai07_021x sukhothai07_056x sukhothai07_033x