Northern Thailand - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 923

To Chiang Mai, buses (80B, three to four hours, noon) and minivans (150B, three
hours, hourly from 7am to 4.30pm) leave from Pai's tiny bus station (Th Chaisongkhram) .

Aya Service ( 0 5369 9888; www.ayaservice.com ; 22/1 Th Chaisongkhram; bikes per 24hr
100-400B; 8am-9pm) also runs air-con minivan buses to Chiang Mai (150B, three hours,
hourly from 8am to 4.30pm), Chiang Rai (550B, six hours, 5.30am) and Chiang Khong
(650B, seven hours, 6pm).

TOP OF CHAPTER

Sukhothai

055 / POP 37,000
The Khmer empire extended its influence deep into modern-day Thailand before a for-
midable rival arose in 1257 to undermine the distant throne's frontier. Naming its capital
Sukhothai (Rising Happiness), the ascendant kingdom claimed lands as far north as Vien-
tiane and began to define a cohesive Thai identity by developing a distinctive Thai alpha-
bet as well as architecture and art. All this was accomplished in 150 years, before Suk-
hothai was superseded by Ayuthaya to the south.

Sights & Activities

Sukhothai Historical Park
Designated a Unesco World Heritage Site, Sukhothai's historical park, also known as
meuang gòw (old city), contains 21 historic sites that lie within the old wall, with another
70 within a 5km radius. Thailand's Loi Krathong festival is thought to have originated
here and is celebrated in November with much historic fanfare.
The park is 12km west of New Sukhothai, home to the bulk of the area's accommoda-
tion and restaurants. The two areas are linked by frequent sŏrngtă aou (30B, 30 minutes,
from 6am to 5.30pm) from the south side of Th Jarot Withithong west of Poo Restaurant.
Within the old city, bicycles (per day 30B) are a great way to explore the grounds and can
be hired near the park entrance. Cycling Sukhothai ( 08 5083 1864, 0 5561 2519; www.cycling-
sukhothai.com ; off Th Jarot Withithong; half-/full day 650/750B, sunset tour 350B) offers educational
bike tours of the area.
Central Zone

HISTORICAL SITE