The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, named in honor of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great, the legendary monarch who ruled Sukhothai in the early 19th Buddhist century, serves as a crucial institution for preserving and presenting Thailand’s historical, artistic, and cultural heritage. The museum houses valuable artifacts and art objects recovered from archaeological excavations and restorations of ancient sites in the old city of Sukhothai and nearby areas. In addition, part of its collection comes from the former Wat Ratchathani Museum, transferred with permission from the esteemed antiquities scholar and former abbot, Phra Boranwat Charn (Phra Ratchaprasitthikun), for public preservation and display. Together, these collections provide a comprehensive view of cultural development and historical continuity in early Thai civilization.

 

The main museum building displays artifacts obtained from archaeological surveys and excavations in Sukhothai Province as well as surrounding provinces in lower northern Thailand, including Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Uttaradit, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun, and Tak. It also features items previously preserved at Wat Ratchathani Museum in Thani Subdistrict, Mueang District, Sukhothai, showcasing the cultural evolution and interconnectedness of Thai communities in the past.

 

The Thai Script Memorial Building presents the history of Sukhothai from the pre-establishment period of the kingdom to its development into a historical park, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site alongside the ancient cities of Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet. The exhibitions provide visitors with insight into the historical, social, and cultural identity of Sukhothai’s people and the legacy of early Thai civilization.

 

The Stucco and Sculpture Building displays stucco and sculptural works used to decorate temples, pagodas, and various buildings in Sukhothai and nearby provinces. Exhibits are organized into categories to allow visitors to study artistic styles, religious influences, and everyday life in Sukhothai through these artifacts.

 

The open-air exhibition area features large-scale artifacts and art objects, including ruins of ancient structures restored in 2001. Many relics, such as Buddha relics and ceremonial items, were found contained in Sawankhalok ceramics and Chinese porcelain. The museum also presents a replica of a Sukhothai ceramic kiln, demonstrating traditional production methods of Sukhothai ceramics.

 

The Wooden Hall exhibits artifacts, art objects, and ethnographic items, including a replica vihara, carts, wooden boats, and agricultural tools such as rice grinders and plows, reflecting the traditional lifestyle and practices of Thai communities.

 

Significant objects in the collection include bronze Buddha images in the graceful Leela posture from the Sukhothai period of the 20th Buddhist century, stucco Buddha images from the 19th Buddhist century, and the Four Buddha Footprints carved from stone, dating back to the 20th Buddhist century. These artifacts represent the cultural and artistic legacy of Thailand.

 

Managed by the Fine Arts Department, the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the history, art, and way of life of the Sukhothai people, while reflecting the prosperity of the Sukhothai Kingdom and its enduring connection to traditional Thai culture.