Elephants round the base
Carrying the stupa on their backs.
This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข — CC BY 4.0 · Gary Todd — Public domain · Gary Todd — Public domain · Gary Todd — Public domain
A temple in the eastern zone outside Sukhothai's walls, whose name means «temple surrounded by elephants»: a large bell-shaped stupa rises on a square base from which project the foreparts of elephant sculptures, seeming to carry the stupa on their backs; several survive, though many are worn by the centuries. In Buddhist architecture elephants symbolise strength and stability, and this style, inspired by the temples of Sri Lanka, recurs at other temples in Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai. In front of the stupa are the ruins of a prayer hall, and fields and trees surround the site. Sukhothai was the capital of the first Thai kingdom in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, where the Thai alphabet took shape and a distinctive style of Buddha images flourished, with flowing bodies and serene smiles; its ruins are today part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed in 1991. The eastern zone usually charges no fee, and the temple is close to the main road between New and Old Sukhothai. The midday heat is fierce from March to May, so come early in the morning or late afternoon, with a hat and water. A short stop on the way to the park, a quarter of an hour is enough, and fun for children who like counting elephants.
Carrying the stupa on their backs.
In Sri Lankan style.
Counting the carved elephants.
Eastern zone, outside the walls, Sukhothai Historical Park
Ramkhamhaeng National MuseumThe main museum of the Sukhothai kingdom's history, at the entrance to the centr16 minutes walk
Sukhothai Historical ParkOne of the most beautiful archaeological sites in South-East Asia: the ruins of 21 minutes walk
Wat Mahathat, SukhothaiSukhothai's most important and largest temple, the spiritual heart of the royal 21 minutes walk
Wat Sa SiOne of Sukhothai's most poetic sights: a small temple on an island in the middle24 minutes walk
Wat Si SawaiA striking temple of three adjoining Khmer-style towers, called prang, with stuc24 minutes walkNo: same name and idea, but Si Satchanalai's is bigger with more complete elephants, and worth the trip if you go there.