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Sukhothai, the first capital of the Thai kingdom founded in the early 13^th century, was once a thriving centre of trade, culture and religion, and the ancient cradle of Thai culture.

Set against a backdrop of rolling hills, this is the site of numerous temple ruins and what remains of what was once a glorious city and the satellite towns of Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet.

The Sukhothai period is of historical and cultural significance as it was during this time that the ‘blue-print’ of the Thai kingdom and Thai culture was set. It was the ‘golden age’ of Thai politics, religion and culture. As a result, the art and architectural styles of the period have become the distinctive signature of Thai-style art and architecture, and many of the cultural traditions born of this era have shaped the Thai cultural identity as we know of it today.

The archaeological and architectural treasures of the Sukhothai Historical Park and the Si Satchanalai Historical Park provide fine examples of the splendid Thai arts of the 13-14^th century Sukhothai period. In 1978, the largest and most complex restoration effort in Thai history was undertaken at this ancient site, known collectively as the Sukhothai Historical Park. Granting due recognition to the extraordinary arts and culture of the Sukhothai period, UNESCO declared Sukhothai a Cultural World Heritage Site in 1991.

The ancient capital of Sukhothai is located on the lower edge of the northern region, approximately 427 kilometres from Bangkok. Sukhothai is Bangkok Airways’ northern “Cultural Hub”.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE
Sukhothai's epithet offers a concise summary of the key highlights namely – awe-inspiring world heritage, origin of the Thai alphabet, Loi Krathong and the preservation of Buddhist traditions, eye-pleasing Teen Chok cloth, ancient gold ceramics, pay homage to the founding fathers and Dawn of happiness.

Sukhothai offers both culture and nature. Visitors can enjoy both the UNESCO-designated historical parks, and the national parks in Si Satchanalai district.

PLACES OF INTEREST

THE SUKHOTHAI HISTORICAL PARK
Ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals, and a water dyke control system.

PHRA MAE YA SHRINE
The shrine was built during King Ramkhamhaeng’s reign and dedicated to his late mother Nang Suang.

WAT PHRA-PHAI LUANG
The temple is second only in importance to Wat Mahathat.

RUINS OF THE OLD CELEDON FACTORY
(Thuriang Kiln)
A site where Sukhothai celadons were made. Forty-nine kilns and small edifices can still be seen.

WAT CHANG-LOM
The base of the stupa or chedi is decorated with elephant stucco.

WAT SI-CHUM
The square mondop houses a monumental Buddha image.

WAT SAPHAN-HIN
The temple is located on a hill, 200 metres above sea-level.

WAT ARANYIK
The route that leads to the sanctuary is lined with abodes for monks, caves, ubosot and viharn.

WAT TRAPHANG THONG-LANG
The stucco figures are masterpieces of Sukhothai art.

SI STACHANALAI GOLDSMITHS VILLAGE
An ancient goldsmithing village renowned for its traditional ancient style and quality.

COTTON VILLAGE
The Thai Puan, of Had Siow Village in Si Sachanalai, whose ancestor migrated from Laos over 100 years ago and settled here are famed for their colourful teen jok cotton brocades.

The 600-year-old city of Luang Prabang, the ancient royal capital of Laos situated on the bank of the Mekong River, has been described as Southeast Asia's best preserved ancient city and was recently awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO.

The city of Luang Prabang is a visual feast of Buddhist temples, French-colonial mansions and quaint, teakwood houses, nestled amidst groves of swaying coconut palms. The easy-going and charming residents of this historic city lead lives little changed from what French explorers witnessed in the late 19^th century. In the misty early morning hours, local women and tribal people in traditional dress crowd the market to buy tropical fruits, while lines of saffron-robed Buddhist monks stroll the narrow lanes to receive alms from the faithful. The exotic array of sights that can be easily explored on foot or by bicycle.

PLACES TO VISIT IN LUANG PRABANG

WAT XIENG THONG
Wat Xieng Thong is a Buddhist Monastery known for its elegant temple, its concave roof arches gracefully towards the sky. The temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat. Both the interior and exterior walls of the temple are decorated with delicate gold motifs on a maroon background. Adjacent to the temple is the Funerary Carriage Hall or haw latsalot. Built in 1962, the hall's wide teakwood panels are deeply craved with depictions of Rama, Sita, Ravana and Hanuman - characters from the Lao version of the Ramayana.

THE ROYAL PALACE MUSEUM
The former Royal Palace, an electric blend of French and Lao architecture, is filled with the treasures of Laos' royal past. Rare articles of royal regalia are on display: swords with hilts and scabbards of hammered silver and gold, an elaborately decorated fly-whisk and the king's elephant saddle. Also on exhibit are a collection of rare Buddha where the Pra Bang is enshrined, the sacred Buddha image for which the city Luang Prabang is named.

PRU SI
Pru Si or "sacred mountain", is the geographical as well as spiritual centre of the city. Believed to have once harbored a powerful naga who dwelt in its bowels, the hill is also seen as a miniature Mount Meru, the Mount Olympus of Hindu-Buddhist cosmology. Topped by a golden stupa and decorated with golden spires, Phu Si breaks the skyline and is seen for miles around. It is indeed the first landmark spotted by most visitors upon their arrival in Luang Prabang.

PAK OU CAVES:
The Pak Ou caves are located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. To get to the caves by boat, the journey from Luang Prabang takes approximately an hour. Within the caves are hundreds of Buddha images with serene and smiling. Every year, during the Lao New Year celebrations in April, boatloads of townsfolk make the pilgrimage upriver to gain merit by performing a ritual bathing of the Buddha images in the cave. Boatmen who will be making an extended trip along the Mekong River will routinely stop at the caves to make an offering to ensure their safe return.

THE WHISKEY VILLAGE
The Whiskey Village is on the opposite bank of the Mekong River from the Pak Ou caves. A picturesque village, its inhabitants are famed for their expertise in brewing a smooth but potent rice whiskey.

THE TEMPLES OF ANGKOR
The majestic temples of Angkor belong to the classic period of Khmer art and civilisation. Today, a millennium after they were built, the temples stand no less awe-inspiring in their stately grandeur and ornate perfection. The temples are the creation of a succession of Khmer kings who presided over an empire that dominated the region from 800 to 1430, reaching its peak in the 12^th century. From the 15^th century, the temples were abandoned, forgotten by the world, until rediscovered in 1861 by the French naturalist, Henri Mohout. The mystery that envelops most of these ancient Khmer temples is heightened by the silence of its jungle setting. The ancient site extends over an area of 400 sq km, with more than 100 monuments and some twenty major temples.

ANGKOR WAT
Built in the first half of the 12^th century (113-5 AD), Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build and is the largest religious monument ever built and the largest sandstone sanctuary in the world. One of the 'Seven Wonders of the World', Angkor Wat is also a UNESCO-designated Cultural World Heritage Site.

The height of Angkor Wat from the ground to the top of the central tower is 213 metres (669 feet). The most prominent architectural feature of Angkor Wat are its five stone towers. The magnificent temple is the symbol of the Khmer nation and its silhouette is depicted on the Cambodian national flag.

Conceived by King Suryavarman II, a 'God King' who believed himself to be an earthly incarnation of the god Vishnu, the lay-out of the city of Angkor Wat was based on the Hindu Cosmos and various aspects of the intricately carved sandstone monument reflect 12^th century Hindu beliefs and traditions. Unlike all other Khmer temples, Angkor Wat has a western orientation and is generally believed to have been a funerary temple for the king. Bas-reliefs adorn the walls of Angkor Wat. Each tells a story. The most celebrated of the bas relief -- the 'Churning of the Sea of Milk' - is depicted on the eastern wing of the complex. In this episode, gods and demons converge to extract the elixir of immortality from the cosmic ocean. The body of the naga, Vasuki, is wrapped around Mount Mandara, which serves as a pivot to stir the Sea of Milk. As the gods and demons pull on each end of the naga, the mountain turns and the elixir is drawn forth from the oceans. Apsaras, or celestial dancers who entertain the gods and god-kings, are prominently featured in Khmer temple decoration.

ANGKOR THOM
The ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, literally "Great City", was constructed in the 12^th century by King Jayavarman II. It houses the Bayon temple, the 300-metre long Elephant Terrace with its large sculptured royal elephants and mythical garudas, half-man and half-bird figures, and the Terrace of the Leper King and a sandstone replica of the Leper King.

BANTEAY SREI
Banteay Srei - the fabled pink temple of women, is a small but charming temple in a remarkable state of preservation. Built of pink sandstone and considered a tribute to the beauty of women, it is smaller in size, adorned with delicate carvings of apsaras and divinities that reflect the finest craftsmanship in stone carvings. Dedicated in 987, it is one of the oldest temples in the region, but only rediscovered in the 1900s.

ROULOS GROUP
The three monuments of the Roulos Group - Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko - were built in the 9^th century during the reign of Indravarman I, and provide clues to early Khmer civilisation.

TONLE SAP
Located close to Angkor, the Tonle Sap Great Lake is a natural wonder of great socio-economic and cultural importance. Connected to the mighty Mekong by the Tonle Sap River, the lake more than trebles in size during the rainy season when it absorbs floodwaters. In the dry season, the flow is reversed and the lake recedes to its normal expanse of approximately 2,600 sq. km. A highly productive fishing ground and a valuable source of water for natural irrigation, the pattern of life of the floating villages on and around the lake revolves around the flood cycles of the Tonle Sap.

In 1993, Hué was designated a UNSECO Cultural World Heritage Site. The famous Perfume River flows through the city, dividing it into two parts, with the old city on its northern bank and hotels and virtually all of its restaurants in the southern half. It is a peaceful city with canals, lakes, greenery, and magnificent architecture, all of which has inspired the melancholic work of poets and songwriters through the years. It is also home to seven universities, and thus has a youthful and scholarly atmosphere. Students fill riverside cafes, while market vendors drive hard bargains at the famous Dong Ba Market. The city of Hué’ is a well-known culinary centre for Central Vietnam. Two of the more popular traditional dishes are Bun Bo (noodle soup with beef) and Ban Khoai (made from rice). The city also known for its vegetarian dishes.

PLACES OF INTEREST

THE CITADEL AND IMPERIAL CITY
The citadel was constructed in 1805 by Emperor Gia Long and is surrounded by a moat, 10 km in length. The Imperial Enclosure, located at the centre of the citadel, is modelled after its counterpart in Peking. The Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh), which was home to the emperor, lies within the Imperial Enclosure.

PERFUME RIVER
The view of the citadel, pagodas, temples and gardens from both sides of the river is breathtaking. Their reflection in the clear blue water of the river adds a touch of mystique and romance. Spend a leisurely afternoon cruising along the river aboard one of the Dragon Boats. Stop at the historical attractions along its banks.

THIEN MU PAGODA
The pagoda, located on Hill Ha Khe – a short distance upstream on the Perfume River, was rebuilt by order of Lord Nguyen Hoang in 1601.

The city is noted for its arts and crafts, particularly woodcarving and pottery. Shops in town offer souvenirs, paintings, silk, and mat weaving.

PLACES OF INTEREST

CHINESE ASSEMBLY HALLS
These include the All-Community Assembly Hall (Chua Ba) - founded in1773 and used by all five Chinese congregations in Hoi An namely Fujian, Cantonese, Hainan, Chaozhou and Hakka, the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation, the Assembly Hall of the Hainan Chinese Congregation built in 1883, and Chaozhou Assembly Hall built in 1776.

CHUC THANH PAGODA
Founded in 1454, this is the oldest pagoda in Hoi An.

PHUOC LAM PAGODA
Founded in the mid-17^th century.

THE JAPANESE COVERED BRIGE
The bridge, which was built in 1593 by the Japan community and has managed to survive renovations, floods and wars, connects two historic districts – the old Japanese and the old Chinese quarters.

TAN KY HOUSE
The house features incredible architectural designs. A piece of hanging artwork features an exquisite work of art with the characters in a Chinese poem crafted with inlaid mother-of-pearl. A closer look reveals that each character is made up of several intricately-carved birds.

CHAM MUSEUM
The museum houses many beautiful stone carvings of ancient origin (Khmer and Cham).

MY SON
This is the site of Cham ruins located approximately 60 km from Hoi An

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Contact information
Bangkok Head Office / Ticketing
E-mail: reservation@bangkokair.co.th
Tel: (66) 2265-5555
Fax: (66) 2265-5556

Sukhothai Airport Office
Tel: (66) 5564-7244
Fax: (66) 5564-7222

Luang Prabang Office
Tel: (856 71) 253-334
Fax: (856 71) 253-335

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Phnom Penh Office
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Tel: (855 23) 720-022, 720-055
Fax: (855 23) 720-522

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Fax: (855 63) 380-332

Danang Office
Tel: (84 511) 582-361-2
Fax: (84 511) 582-363

Ho Chi Minh City Office
Tel: (84 8) 823-9288-9
Fax: (84 8) 823-9287