Sukhothai and Ayutthaya are two old capitals of the ancient Thai kingdom, 86 kilometers north of Bangkok. Both were once bustling port cities with trade and diplomatic relations with neighboring South East Asia, China, Japan and European nations.
The city of Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand in the middle ages, till it was attacked and destroyed by the M. It has trade relations with neighboring Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The diplomats from many European nations sent their ambassadors to this powerful kingdom in the 16th century. The city is located on a delta of the confluence of the river Chao Phraya, Lobpuri and Pa Sak. The Ayutthaya Historical Park was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1991. The remains of the massive forts and palaces of the Ayutthaya rulers stand tall amidst the ever-changing landscape. The ruins of the temple at Ayutthaya show a fascinating mix of Khmer, Thai and Hindu architecture.
Sukhothai, established as the capital under King Rankhamhaeng, dates back to the 13th century. Older than Ayutthaya, this city is a place of monuments and temples, a World Heritage Site and famed for its many Buddhist temples and shrines. In the evenings, the temples are lighted up, and the spires glow against the dark night sky. A visit it Sukhothai is like going back in time, when priests chanted at the old Buddhist temples and ladies of the royal palace gracefully moved about in the royal palaces. The Sukhothai National park has the ruins of Buddhist temples, fort walls and gates, as well the old dykes and irrigations systems of the palace farms. There is also an old firing kiln where pottery was manufactured.
A trip to the two cities of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai is like stepping back in time. It will give you an idea of the lifestyle of the powerful rulers, their consorts and make you feel like you have stepped into another world.
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