FAMOUS
Thai KINGDOMS (Ayuthaya, Sukhothai, SI SATCHANALAI)
Ayuthaya
Wat Ratchaburana
Wat Ratchaburana's main stupa in Khmer style
Murals in the small crypt of the Wat Ratchaburana temple. Many gold artifacts and Buddha images were also found here.
Remains of beautiful decorations on the main stupa
Remains of the vithala (temple) at Wat Ratchaburana. Two rows of columns once carried a steep three-level roof.
Wat Mahathat
T his Buddha head - overgrown by tree roots is without any significant historical value. However, it became a symbol of the Wat Mahathat and one of the main draws for visitors.
Many stupas of the Wat Mahathat temple
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Chaiwatthanaram has been reconstructed and is the best preserved temple in Ayuthaya
Wat Chaiwatthanaram displays many elements of Khmer architecture and resembles Angkor Wat.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Phra Si Sanphet was built in the 15th century on the site of a former royal palace. Remains of several Ayuthaya kings were placed in its chedis.
The three main stupas of the Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Phra Ram
Wat Phra Ram is located on an island in the middle of a small lake.
SUKHOTHAI
Wat Mahathat
Top of the main stupa has the shape of a lotus bud, which is an unique element of Sukhotai architecture. Eight smaller towers surround the main stupa.
Main stupa behind remains of the Wat Mahathat vithala
Wat Si Sawai
Wat Si Sawai was originially built as a Hindu temple, but later used as a Buddhist shrine. It is surrounded by a moat.
Decorations on the walls of Wat Si Sawai (Naga, the Hindu mythic snake, on the left)
Wat Sra Sri
Wat Sra Sri is located on an island in the middle of a lake. Sukhothai is surrounded by nice hilly country.
Wat Phra Phai Luang
Main tower at the Wat Phra Phai Luang temple was built in Khmer style.
Wat Si Chum
This huge statue of Buddha is sitting inside the Wat Si Chum temple.
SI SATCHANALAI
Wat Chang Lom
This stupa at the Wat Chang Lom temple was built in Sri Lanka style. 39 elephant statues surround its base. Niches on the second level house Buddha images.
Wat Chedi Ched Thaeo
Main stupa of the Wat Chedi Ched Thaeo is built in Sukhothai style - its top has the shape of a lotus bud.
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Chaliand
Remains of vithala and main stupa at the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Chaliand.
Images of "walking" Buddha are typical for the Sukhothai period.