Si Satchanalai Historical Park is located in Mueang Kao Subdistrict, in an area known as “Kaeng Luang,” approximately 11 kilometers south of Si Satchanalai District toward Sawankhalok, or about 550 kilometers from Bangkok. The park spans the subdistricts of Si Satchanalai, Sarachit, Nong O, and Tha Chai. The ancient city of Si Satchanalai is situated in the Ban Phra Prang area of Si Satchanalai Subdistrict, covering a total area of approximately 45.14 square kilometers. Originally, the city was called “Chaliang” before being renamed “Si Satchanalai” during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng’s dynasty in Sukhothai. A new city was established as the administrative center to replace Chaliang. Within the historical park, a total of 215 historical sites and artifacts have been identified, of which 204 have already been excavated and documented.

 

The key historical sites within Si Satchanalai Historical Park include Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, also known as Wat Phra Prang, located outside the old city walls about 3 kilometers southeast. This large-scale temple complex was the royal monastery of the highest class, Rajavaravihara. The main prang (tower) is constructed of laterite and plaster, featuring architectural elements from the Ayutthaya period. In front of the prang is a stairway leading to the entrance hall, where remnants of faded mural paintings can be found. The front courtyard houses a large Buddha image in the Mara Vichai posture, while to the right stands an intricately crafted stucco Buddha in the Lila posture. The temple walls, built from laterite blocks, form a rectangular enclosure measuring 60 meters wide and 90 meters long. Above the gate is a gable-like structure, and above it is a stucco representation of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara’s face.

 

Phra That Mu Tao, located behind the main prang outside the inner enclosure, is a Mon-style chedi. During excavations in 1992, a gold jangko ornament was discovered on its top. Behind Phra That Mu Tao is the Mandap of Phra Attharasa, which was originally a mandap housing four standing Buddha images. It has since been repaired and modified. Inside the niche are standing Buddha statues, and the mandap’s roof was originally covered with terracotta tiles. Vihara Phra Song Phi Nong, to the left of the Mandap of Phra Attharasa, is constructed of laterite and houses two stucco Buddha images in the Mara Vichai posture. Archaeological excavations revealed that its foundation was built atop an earlier brick structure, and adjacent to the vihara’s right side is the base of a Buddha footprint. A bot (ordination hall) is located in front of the vihara.

 

The temple has been fully restored, including the reconstruction of the old ordination hall. Kut Phra Ruang Phra Lue, or Phra Ruang Phra Lue Shrine, is a square-based mandap with a four-tiered brick roof, containing a replica statue of Phra Ruang Phra Lue.

 

Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng is situated atop Khao Phanom Phloeng within the city walls, featuring a round chedi as the main structure and a laterite mandap with a square base and curved, pointed roof. Visitors can access the temple via two routes: from the front near Kaeng Luang or via the laterite stairway on the side. Along both paths are resting pavilions. Locals also refer to this temple as Chao Mae La Ong Samli Shrine.

 

Wat Khao Suwannakhiri, located 200 meters west of Khao Phanom Phloeng, sits atop another hill in the same range. Its main historical feature is a large round chedi built of laterite on a five-tiered square base serving as a circumambulatory terrace, with niches containing stucco Buddha images in the Lila posture around the chedi. Behind the main chedi are smaller round chedis enclosed by laterite walls.

 

Wat Chang Lom, within the city walls, lies on the plains at the southern foot of Khao Phanom Phloeng. Its principal feature is a Lanka-style chedi on a square-based circumambulatory terrace, surrounded by 39 stucco elephants facing outward, with elaborately decorated elephants at each corner. The terrace has a stairway to the circumambulatory area, and niches contain Mara Vichai Buddha images with a backdrop of Bodhi tree reliefs, though only the northern Buddha remains. The bell-shaped chedi is topped with a tiered umbrella decorated with 17 low-relief stucco Arahants. There are also two small vihara buildings and two chedi clusters.

 

Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, located in front of Wat Chang Lom, is renowned for its multiple chedis in classic Sukhothai style mixed with Srivijaya influences. The main chedi, shaped like a lotus bud, sits behind the vihara, surrounded by 33 smaller chedis within an outer wall. Niches behind the main chedi contain Buddha images in the Naga Prok posture. This temple once housed the royal cremated remains of the Sukhothai dynasty.

 

Wat Suan Kaew (the large park temple) lies inside the city walls near Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, with a principal round chedi of laterite whose bell structure has collapsed. Stairs lead to the vihara from the rear, flanked by front halls, pillars, and laterite walls. Wat Suan Kaew Nok (Wat Sa Kaew), located 200 meters from Wat Chang Lom, is enclosed by walls and features a main lotus-bud chedi, a vihara with a rear mandap, and a curved pointed roof housing a Mara Vichai Buddha image.

 

Wat Nang Phaya, aligned with Wat Suan Kaew, exhibits intricate stucco decorations on its seven-room vihara. Columns feature angels and various motifs made of unglazed Sangkhalok ceramic. The main chedi stands on a circumambulatory base, with a stairway leading to the chedi hall, where the central column is decorated with stucco reliefs. The vihara is made of laterite with front and rear halls, and windows pierced into walls. Reliefs depict half-human, half-monkey figures in motion, along with floral and celestial motifs, characteristic of early Ayutthaya art.

 

Wat Chom Chuen, located along the Yom River about 400 meters from Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, has a principal round chedi built of laterite, with a vihara in front and a six-room chedi with front projections. The rear of the vihara connects to a closed mandap with a pointed laterite roof. In front of the mandap are two stucco gates, while the rear originally housed a Buddha image in the Naga Prok posture, now missing. Excavations uncovered 15 human skeletons at a depth of 7–8 meters, dating from the 9th Buddhist century to the Dvaravati period (12th–16th centuries), along with a large collection of Sangkhalok ware from the 17th century through the Sukhothai period.

 

Si Satchanalai Historical Park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entrance fees are 20 THB for Thai visitors and 100 THB for foreign tourists. An additional fee applies for vehicles entering the park. A tram service is available throughout the park at 10 THB for Thai visitors and 40 THB for foreigners. Guided tours can be arranged directly through the park office.

 

Address: Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai 64130, Thailand. Phone: +66 5567 9211

 

Directions from Sukhothai city: Take Highway 101 toward Sawankhalok–Si Satchanalai, turn left across the Yom River, then take a right toward the park entrance, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the main road. The total distance from Sukhothai city is about 68 kilometers. Public buses on the Sukhothai–Uttaradit or Sukhothai–Chiang Rai routes stop near the park entrance.