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.