Ancient Sukhothai (North of the City Walls)

North of the Sukhothai city walls the main monuments are:

Wat Phra Phai Luang

This large temple is situated about 1000 metres north of the city walls, and is surrounded by a moat. It’s original structure of three laterite and stucco prang indicates that it dates from the late 12th century when Sukhothai was part of the Kymer empire. As the present city walls date from the 13th century, it is thought that this wat was the centre of the original city, before the town centre was moved south.

Of the three prangs, the southern and central ones have crumbled. The northern one is decorated with stucco figures of Buddha and his devotees. In front of these prangs are a viharn and a crumbled chedi with a pedestal decorated with stucco Buddha images. Originally it was a pyramid with Buddhas in niches on each level however the heads of the Buddhas were stolen between 1953 and 1960. Southeast of this chedi stands a brick mondop depicting the remains of stucco images of Buddha walking, standing, sitting and reclining. There is a small viharn north of the prang. The bot would have stood west of the prang.

The Turiang Kilns

Situated north of Wat Phra Phai Luang, near the moat, are the restored remains of 39 vaulted ceramic kilns, with their three sections of the fire, the oven, and the exhaust vents. Sukhothai was famous for its Sangkhalok porcelain, characterized by a yellowish gray glaze and whirling designs of flowers or fish in the centre.

Wat Sangkhawat

This wat, surrounded by a moat, has the remains of a viharn with laterite columns, inside which is a large stucco headless Buddha of Sukhothai style. Behind the viharn is the base of a chedi of Singhalese type, on which there once stood Buddha images facing the four directions. The bot situated 200 metres south has boundary stones of different styles, shapes and design, suggesting that was often renovated and re-consecrated.