Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Kampaeng Phet

[Smurkster]

I have lived in Thailand for three years but I never really travel throughout the country. I have seen some really amazing places in my life like Angkor wat, Bagan, Taj Mahal, Forbidden City, Kyoto and the Pyramids. the question is, after seeing all this stuff, is it really worthwhile to go and see the three above mentioned places? I feel like compared to some of these amazing sites, I will not be so impressed with these Thai ruins.. mostly Thai people have told me or asked me "have you been to Sukhothai or Ayutthaya?" I was invited to go with a Thai friend who wants to show me the ruins...I feel like it will be anti climactic and I won't be so impressed. I know I am spoiled in the sense that all of the interesting things i have seen around the world have made it so that these places just won't cut it for me....Am I right?

[CharlieH]

TRAVEL FORUM

MOVED

[Kwasaki]

Where you have been in your travels all have there special meaning to the people in that country the same applies to Thailand.

[Smurkster]

I understand that and respect it but that wasn't really my point/question...the fact that it means something special to Thai people, really has nothing to do with whether or not I would like it/find it worthwhile and interesting...I'm leaning toward no, based on the pictures I have seen and after talking to my wife who has been to Bagan and Angkor Wat with me and told me that all those three Historical parks pale in comparison

[Robroona]

The Ruins at Kamphaeng Phet are nice but not spectacular. Ayuttaya is nicer. Dunno about Sukhotai

[gk10002000]

Sukhothai is very quiet and peaceful and serene. The buildings are not 100s of feet tall. But it is in a beautiful little valley. The structures are nothing like Angkor Wat. I found it a great change of pace and wll worth a day or two. The town itself is quiet. I took the bus from Mo Chit and it was a total of about 6 hours with a lunch break midway. Very scenic view. I stayed in a small hotel for 250 baht. The room was plain but clean and the bed was fine. Basic small bathroom, toilet shower that gets everything wet. But for the three nights I was there it was all I needed. There are some better places around even with pools but I didn't bother. I walked around the site but you can rent a bicycle which might suit you. Is this a magnificent gravity defying place like the pyramids? No. A place for some contemplation and peace and quiet, yes.

[dddave]

Sukkothai is interesting but not spectacular. Nicely preserved ruins in sort of a park setting. Ayuthaya is more compelling because of the historical connections to the structures and temples, but only if history turns you on.

For someplace really spectacular, I would suggest VIHARN SIEN (Anek Kusala Sala) located outside of Jomtien. It is an amazing museum built by the Chinese-Thai business community to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Kings coronation. This museum has an incredible collection of Asian antiquities, weapons, statuary and artifacts. It is the only institution outside of China to have on display several genuine 3000 year old Terra Cotta warriors from the Xi'an archaeological site. They also have a Chinese war chariot from the same era. If you are interested in martial arts, they also have an amazing collection of bronze, life size statues is action positions.

For some inexplicable reason, this incredible place is little known. Most Pattaya travel & tour agencies do not have it on their itineraries and often do not have a clue of it's existence. It is in an out of the way location near the Wat Wansangwararam temple complex. It is also not far from the "Buddha Mountain" I suggest you Google it for map location. Admission is less than B100 for non-Thais.

If you go, bring a heavy pair of socks or slippers. Some of the terrace areas are open to the sun and the surface gets very hot on the feet as shoes can not be worn.

Absolutely worth the trip and effort.

[Smurkster]

When I was at Angkor Wat, I heard a Thai man claim that "Angkor Wat belongs to Thailand"

I don't know what historical basis he claimed that on, other than the fact that Cambodia was under Siamese suzerainty for a period of time....

That really got me angry and I couldn't help but correct him for being so blatantly wrong and for possessing such an elitist attitude

[Keesters]

When I was at Angkor Wat, I heard a Thai man claim that "Angkor Wat belongs to Thailand"

I don't know what historical basis he claimed that on, other than the fact that Cambodia was under Siamese suzerainty for a period of time....

That really got me angry and I couldn't help but correct him for being so blatantly wrong and for possessing such an elitist attitude

His claim and the other Thai claim on a Khmer temple that has been in the news recently is all about money now that both have world heritage status. Prior to that nobody cared. The income from these places is huge both in entrance fees as well as preservation grants. Then there is all the support, taxis, guides, hotels, postcards etc.

[Smurkster]

yes, but how can one even claim it. It is so extremely far fetched...maybe they can claim Prear Vihan but even that is a stretch.

[dddave]

When I was at Angkor Wat, I heard a Thai man claim that "Angkor Wat belongs to Thailand"

I don't know what historical basis he claimed that on, other than the fact that Cambodia was under Siamese suzerainty for a period of time....

That really got me angry and I couldn't help but correct him for being so blatantly wrong and for possessing such an elitist attitude

Ten years ago, a character in a popular Thai soap opera also broadcast in Cambodia made the same claim. In the ensuing riots over the next few days, the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh was ransacked, a popular Thai hotel burned to the ground and many Thai businesses trashed. Thailand broke off diplomatic relations for almost 2 years and Cambodia had to pay a huge settlement to rebuild the embassy and restore businesses.

Touchy issue, that one.

[Kwasaki]

The Ruins at Kamphaeng Phet are nice but not spectacular. Ayuttaya is nicer. Dunno about Sukhotai

The ruins in the historical park at Sri Satchanalia are worth a look too.

Although some things are worth a look in Sukhothai new city the main place is the historical park in Sukhothai Old City, important to Thai people because it's where Thailand began then known as Siam.