Sukhothai Historical Park
The Sukhothai Historical Park is without a doubt the highlight of a trip to the former capital of Siam. The park is located 12 kms. from town on the Sukhothai-Tak Highway. Ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals, and the water dyke control system, which was the magical and spiritual center of the kingdom, are now preserved and have been restored by the Fine Arts Department with the cooperation of UNESCO, not only with a view of fostering Thailand's national identity but the safeguarding a fine example of mankind's cultural heritage. The tourist Service Centre is near Wat Phra Phai Luang. The centre provides information and facilitates visitors to the Sukhothai Historical Park, as well as displays models of historical buildings and structures in old Sukhothai. It is open daily 08.30-16.30 hrs. Admission fee is 40 baht.


The Royal Palace
The palace is located in the centre of the town. This area is surrounded by a moat and contains two main compounds; the royal building and the sanctuary in the palace. In the royal compound exists the ruins of the royal building called Noen Phrasat.
Here, the famous stone inscription of King Ramkhamhaeng was found by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in the 19th century together with a piece of the stone throne called "Manangkhasila Asana" King Ramhamhaeng set up the throne in the midst of a sugarpalm grove where , at his request, a monk preached on Buddhist Sabbath days and the more..
Wat Mahathat
Sukhothai's largest temple is Wat Mahathat. It has customary main chedi in lotus-bud shape and a ruined viharn. At the base of the Chedi stands Buddhist disciples in adoration, and on the pedestal are seated Buddha images. In front of this reliquary is a large viharn formerly containing a remarkable seated bronze Buddha image of the Sukhothai style, which was cast and installed by King Lithai of Sukhonthai in 1362. At the end of the 18th century, the image was removed to the Viharn Luang of Wat Suthat in Bangkok by the order of King Rama I and has since been named Phra Si Sakaya more..
Old city wall
The city wall is located in the centre of the historical park in Tambon Muang Kao and surrounded by earthen ramparts. The north and south walls are each 2,000 metres long, where as the east and the west walls are each 1,600 metres long. The walls contain four main gates: Sanluang on the north, Namo on the south, Kamphaenghak on the east, and Oar on the west. A stone inscription mentions needed help, they would ring the bell and the King would come out to settle disputes and dispense justice. Inside the town stands 35 monuments including Buddhist temples and many other structures.

Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park
Kamphaeng Phet province is located south of Sukhothai province, and is 358 km away from Bangkok. Kamphaeng Phet was formerly also known as Nakhon Chom. Settlements along the Ping River were present in the 11th century. The region for a while was an outpost of the Khmer Empire, and later in the 13th century became part of the Sukhothai Kingdom. Kamphaeng Phet was not mentioned on the early Sukhothai inscription stones (while other cities were), indicating that it was initially not incorporated into the Kingdom or not of great importance. However it was recognized as a town of significance during the reign of King Li Thai.
The Kamphaeng Phet historical park has been established at the Old City site, and the area is now being cared for by the Fine Arts Department.
While not quite on the scale of Sukhothai or even Si Satchanalai, the Kamphaeng Phet historical park covers an extensive area, located mostly within surrounding forests. The Royal Palace itself has been destroyed. Wat Phrakaew is the largest monastery and located adjacent to the old Royal Palace. It contains several wihans (viharas), an ordination hall, and a large chedi. There are some restored Buddha images on the site.
Scattered throughout the forest are the Aranyik Ruins. These remain of the many forest monasteries that were prevalent at the time of the old city. Most date to the 14-16th centuries.
Phra Si Iriyabot was a large monastery and originally housed large Buddha images in four different positions. A standing (restored) Buddha is the only remaining large image.
As the sites at Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai, Kamphaeng Phet also has a Wat Chang Rop, where the base of the large chedi has the laterite sculptures of the forequarters of elephants. The laterite originally was covered with stucco decorations. Some have been restored.
The Kamphaeng Phet National Museum, as most provincial museums at important historic sites, houses quite a few interesting artefacts, sculptures and Buddha images. The most well known and quite striking statue is a bronze Shiva dated from about 1510 A.D. It indicates the importance of Hindu deities, even at the time Buddhism was well established as the religion of Sukhothai and later Ayutthaya. Unfortunately, no pictures can be taken at this National Museum.

Ayutthaya Historical Park
Ayutthaya’s art and architecture was a delicate blend of Dvaravati, Khmer, Mon, Lawa and Khmer cultures. The city site at the heart of the riverine system of the lower Chao Phrayabasin was carefully chosen to allow a moated trapezoid plan and a water-borne way of life. Ayutthaya’s sister city, Lop Buri, just a short distance north. It shared in the capital’s splendour. One of Thailand’s greatest kings. Narai built a palace there that can still be seen. It was these two glorious cities that Europeans first saw.

This golden age of Thai culture also produced the exquisite architecture and decoration at Bang Pa-in, a royal summer palace on the majestic Chao Phraya River just south of the capital, as well as the elegance and grace of Thai classical dance and theatre. Unhappily, all these fabulous glories were sacked by a Burmese invasion in 1767. All that remains of 417 glorious years are the ruins you can see today. They are now a World Heritage site.

Thailand has a very long and magnificent history. Proof of this can be seen in the countless historical sites spread throughout all regions of the kingdom. With two Unesco-listed historical World Heritage Sites and many more potential candidates, Thailand has made great contributions to the international cultural heritage.

Every region of Thailand, be it in the north, south, central or northeast, has revealed a long legacy of civilization. Evidence of this rich cultural heritage can still be seen today.
The two most prominent 'must-see' historical sites in Thailand are Sukhothai Historical Park and Ayutthaya Historical Park. Both places are designated as world heritage sites and both attract millions of admirers annually, who come to see the evidence of Siam's former glory.
Sukhothai and Ayutthaya are considered the two most significant ancient kingdoms in Thai history, since Siam was united as a nation some 750 years ago. Both kingdoms had well-structured Buddhist communities, with advanced artistic and cultural development.

For travelers with more limited time who don't want to travel too far from Bangkok, the Ayutthaya Historical Park is a perfect choice. Just 76 km north of Bangkok, this site reveals the glory of the Ayutthaya empire, which held sway in the region for more than 400 years. The Ayutthaya historical park contains the ruins of ancient Buddhist temples and royal palaces in a well-organized city structure.

Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand from 1350 until it was ruthlessly sacked by the Burmese in 1767. Although a shadow of its former glory, the magnificent ruins of the old city can still be admired. Attractions include the ruins of the former Royal Palace and many ancient temples, which form a complex spread over the vast area of the historical park.

From the 14th to 18th centuries, Ayutthaya was the capital of the central Thai Kingdom for 417 years. With influences from Dvaravati, Khmer, Mon, and Lawa cultures, Ayutthaya was able to create its own arts and culture from a delicate blend of those cultures. During the reigns of 33 kings, Ayutthaya gave Thailand a great number of fine buildings, monuments and works of art. It was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1994. An annual festival, Ayutthaya World Heritage Day, is held in December within the historical park.

Contact Ayutthaya Historical Park, Khlong Tor Road, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, tel/fax: 0 3524 2448

Phanom Rung Historical park

Phanom Rung or, with its full name, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung (Phanom Rung Stone Castle),is a Khmer temple complex set on the rim of an extinct volcano at 1,320 feet above sea level, in Buriram province in the Isan region of Thailand. It was built in sandstone and laterite in the 10th to 13th centuries.It was a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva, and symbolises Mount Kailash, his heavenly dwelling. Thailand's Department of Fine Arts spent 17 years restoring the complex to its original state from 1971 till 1988. On 21 May, 1988, the park was oficially opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.[1] In 2005, the temple was submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a future world heritage site.

Architecture
After the three-leveled lower stairway, the visitor finds himself on the first cruciform platform with a first peek at the main temple.On the right, northward, is Phlab Phla or the White Elephant House. The pavilion is believed to be the place where kings and the royal family would change attire before rituals. Royalty would then enter the Processional Walkway, one of the most impressive elements of the park. It is 160 meters long and bordered by seventy sandstone posts with tops of lotus buds. The Walkway itself is paved with laterite blocks.
The Walkway leads to the first of three naga bridges. The five-headed snakes face all four directions and are from the 12th century. This bridge represents the connection between heaven and earth. The naga bridge leads to the upper stairway, which is divided into five sets. Each set has terraces on the sides. The last terrace is wide, made with laterite blocks. It has a cruciform shape and four small pools. A couple more steps lead to the second naga bridge. It has the same shape as the first one, only smaller. In the middle the remains of an eight petalled lotus carving can be seen.
This final terrace leads to the outer gallery. It probably used to be a wooden gallery with a tiled roof, but only a raised floor of laterite remains. After the outer gallery one reaches the inner gallery, which is divided in long and narrow rooms. It served as a wall around the principal tower. This last gallery leads to the third and last naga bridge, another small copy of the first one.
The bridge leads you directly into the main sanctuary. After the antechamber and the annex, one reaches the principal tower. Double porches lead out in all directions. The inner sanctum used to have the "linga", the phallic symbol of Shiva. Currently, only the "somasutra" remains which was used to drain water during religious rites. The entrances have various lintels and icons depicting Hindu religious stories, e.g. the dancing Shiva and the five Yogi's. The southern entrance is guarded by a sandstone statue.

Buri Ram Province
Buri Ram (Thai: Buriram) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham and Surin. To the south-east it borders Cambodia. Like many of Isan provinces, it was once part of a great Khmer Empire, as evident in the Khmer ruins and large population of ethnic Khmers. The name Buri Ram means City of happiness ( The Thai word Buri is a derivative of the Khmer word Borey ).

Prang Ku
This sandstone Khmer prang was built in the 12th century, during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Inside the prang is a Buddha image, believed to be from the Dvaravati period.Prang Ku was located in Chaiphum province.I have an information of Chaiyaphum that is a province of Thailand.

Chaiyaphum
Chaiyaphum is probably the least visited province in Thailand. The province is flanked by two mountain ranges; Dong Phaya Yen to the west and Khao Khiew to the north, which have resulted in its remoteness. The major roads and rail network have by-passed this small province, doing little to promote travel to the area. Although the road system has been up-graded, traversing the area in a four-wheel drive (especially during the rainy season) is recommended. Historically the province was ruled by the Khmers until the 13th century when their stronghold in the region started to wane. After the Khmers abandoned the area it remained un-populated until the late 18th century, when a large group of Laotians settled in the area. Although the community paid tribute to Vientiane, they also developed a relationship with Bangkok. In the early 19th century Prince Anou of Vientiane declared war on the Siamese. Wise to the knowledge that Anou's troops were no match for the military superiority of the Siamese troops, the Lao ruler of Chaiyaphun, Jao Phraya Lae, switched allegiance. He later died in battle in 1806.The Siamese sacked Vientiane in 1828, resulting in the Siamese controlling most of western Laos. The Thai's later conceded the territory to the French at the end of the century.