You can’t do them in day or a week – but then, even if you have time to visit just one of these parks that would already be commendable, take your pick!
By Harold Stephens
First, let me say that historical objects and sites are a testimony to every country’s cultural heritage. They serve to bridge the gap between past and present, and instill in the people a sense of belonging, pride, and the importance of cherishing their invaluable legacy.
In April 1987, the government officially opened Thailand’s first historical park, the Muang Sing Historical Park in Kanchanaburi. Today, 10 historical parks have been opened – three of which have received the honor of being designated World Heritage Sites.
The 10 historical parks are presented below. They are the result of hard work of the Fine Arts Department in the excavation, renovation and landscaping for several decades. Each of these parks is now equipped with a tourist and information centre and provides qualified guides.
Ayutthaya Historical Park
A satellite town of the Sukhothai era, Si Satchanalai is located on the banks of Yom River, 50km from modern Sukhothai. Ruins of 134 monuments have been discovered in the park. The city plan was laid out along fixed cosmological lines – temple complexes lay at its heart, surrounded by city walls, rivers and forest. It is considered by many historians to be the apogee of Thai city planning. On account of its relation to the Kingdom of Sukhothai, it was selected to be on the World Heritage List in 1990. The annual “Songkran Festival” is held in April within the historical park itself and throughout the province.
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park is in Phetchaburi Province, an important satellite city of Ayutthaya. Commonly called Khao Wang (the palace on the mountain), it was built on top of Samana mountain as a summer palace for King Rama IV. Within the park area are royal halls, temples and groups of buildings, constructed in harmonious Thai, Western neoclassic and Chinese architectural styles. The museum on the western hilltop exhibits some royal paraphernalia of King Rama IV and King Rama V, decorative sculptures, and ceramics from China, Japan and Europe. To reach the hilltop, one can either walk or take a cable car. The “Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair” is held each year with lots of activities to promote tourism to the site and a trade fair of local handicrafts.
Phanom Rung Historical Park
The Northeast includes many historical monuments in the Khmer style from prehistoric times to the 13th century. Among these, Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung is one of the most important. This is the only Khmer religious monument constructed on a natural mountain. Restorations have made a great contribution to the study of Khmer architecture in Thailand. A special festival is “Phanom Rung Fair,” held either in March or April each year.
Muang Sing Historical Park
This is one of the most important sites in the Kwai Noi River basin in Kanchanaburi. Prehistoric human skeletons have been discovered near the ancient city, together with metal tools, vessels and ornaments, bricks, foundations of Dvaravati period architecture and laterite ruins from the 13th century. The remains of the ancient city comprise several layers of rectangular walls and a moat. The annual festival within the historical park is the “Thin Buri Sri Chai Sing” featuring a light and sound show and classical dances.
Phimai Historical Park
The largest stone monument in the Northeast is Prasat Hin Phimai in Phimai Historical Park. It was erected for the practice of Mahayana Buddhism in the early 12th century. This particular monument became the prototype of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which makes it of even greater historical and aesthetic importance. An annual “Phimai Festival” within the historical park is held in November. Festivities include a special light and sound show and classical dances.
Sri Thep Historical Park
From the 14th to 18th centuries, Ayutthaya was the capital of the central Thai Kingdom for 417 years. With influences from Dvaravati, Khmer, Mon, and Lawa cultures, Ayutthaya was able to create its own arts and culture from a delicate blend of those cultures. During the reigns of 33 kings, Ayutthaya gave Thailand a great number of fine buildings, monuments and works of art. It was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1994. An annual festival, “Ayutthaya World Heritage Day,” is held in December within the historical park.
Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park
Khamphaeng Phet was an important city of the Sukhothai Kingdom from the 13th to 15th centuries. The earliest mention of the city appears in the stone inscriptions from Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Sri in Kamphaeng Phet. The Ayutthaya annuals mention that this city was known as “Muang Chakangrau” and was ruled by a prince from Sukhothai. Cultural and folk festivities are held in April each year to celebrate the “Nop Phra Len Pleng Festival.”
Sri Satchanalai Historical Park
A satellite town of the Sukhothai era, Si Satchanalai is located on the banks of Yom River, 50km from modern Sukhothai. Ruins of 134 monuments have been discovered in the park. The city plan was laid out along fixed cosmological lines – temple complexes lay at its heart, surrounded by city walls, rivers and forest. It is considered by many historians to be the apogee of Thai city planning. On account of its relation to the Kingdom of Sukhothai, it was selected to be on the World Heritage List in 1990. The annual “Songkran Festival” is held in April within the historical park itself and throughout the province.
The park is situated on the Phu Phra Bat hill of Phu Phan Mountain. There are 62 archaeological and cultural sites offering prehistoric rock paintings from about 4,000 to 2,000 years ago. There are also many historical artifacts from Dvaravati and Khmer cultures. Within the historical park is also the site of a stupa constructed during the 1920s, and a Buddha’s footprint.
Prehistory Sites
Thailand also has its own species of dinosaur and distinctive neolithic cave paintings. The best place to visit is the northeastern plateau because this region offers the greatest variety with easy access. Just 59km from Udon Thani, for example, lies the world-famous village of Ban Chiang with its marvelous pottery.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park
Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park is in Phetchaburi Province, an important satellite city of Ayutthaya. Commonly called Khao Wang (the palace on the mountain), it was built on top of Samana mountain as a summer palace for King Rama IV. Within the park area are royal halls, temples and groups of buildings, constructed in harmonious Thai, Western neoclassic and Chinese architectural styles. The museum on the western hilltop exhibits some royal paraphernalia of King Rama IV and King Rama V, decorative sculptures, and ceramics from China, Japan and Europe. To reach the hilltop, one can either walk or take a cable car. The “Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair” is held each year with lots of activities to promote tourism to the site and a trade fair of local handicrafts.
The Northeast includes many historical monuments in the Khmer style from prehistoric times to the 13th century. Among these, Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung is one of the most important. This is the only Khmer religious monument constructed on a natural mountain. Restorations have made a great contribution to the study of Khmer architecture in Thailand. A special festival is “Phanom Rung Fair,” held either in March or April each year.
This is one of the most important sites in the Kwai Noi River basin in Kanchanaburi. Prehistoric human skeletons have been discovered near the ancient city, together with metal tools, vessels and ornaments, bricks, foundations of Dvaravati period architecture and laterite ruins from the 13th century. The remains of the ancient city comprise several layers of rectangular walls and a moat. The annual festival within the historical park is the “Thin Buri Sri Chai Sing” featuring a light and sound show and classical dances.
The largest stone monument in the Northeast is Prasat Hin Phimai in Phimai Historical Park. It was erected for the practice of Mahayana Buddhism in the early 12th century. This particular monument became the prototype of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which makes it of even greater historical and aesthetic importance. An annual “Phimai Festival” within the historical park is held in November. Festivities include a special light and sound show and classical dances.
The large ancient city of Sri Thep in the Pasak River basin served as a centre of communications between the cities in central Thailand and those in the North and Northeast for a long period. Archaeological excavations conducted in the Pasak and Lopburi river basins have revealed that highly-developed prehistoric cultures flourished with more advanced technology than that of any other sites in neighboring areas.
