Sukhothai Province

Sukhothai () is ane o the northren provinces (changwat) o Thailand. Neighborin provinces are Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, an Lampang. Sukhothai can be translatit as Dawn o Happiness.

Geography
Sukhothai is locatit in the valley o the Yom River on the lawer edge o the northren region, 427 kilometres north o Bangkok, an covers some 6,596 square kilometres.

The Khao Luang Muntain Range, wi its fower main peaks: Khao Phu Kha, Khao Phra Mae Ya, Khao Chedi, an Pha Narai, lies athin the Ramkhamhaeng Naitional Pairk in the sooth o the province.Ramkhamhaeng National Park The Si Satchanalai Naitional Pairk is locatit in the north-wast, protectin the muntainous forest auries o the province.

History
250px|left|thumb|Phra Achana in Wat Si Chum Chapel, Sukhothai Naitional Historical Pairk
Sukhothai, meanin the Dawn o Happiness, wis a toun foondit in the 13t century on the fringe o the Khmer empire. The exact year is unknown, but according to the Fine Arts Office it was atween 1238 an 1257. Foondit by Phokhun Si Intharathit, it wis the first truly independent Thai (Siamese) Kinrick efter defeatin the Khmers. Sukhothai enjoyed a gowden age unner their third king, King Ramkhamhaeng, who wis creditit wi creatin the Khmer-derived Thai alphabet which is essentially the same as that in uise the day. He an aa laid the foondation for politics, the monarchy an releegion, as well as expandin its boondary o influence. Sukhothai wis later ruled bi mony kings. The province is maist famous for the historic ceety o Sukhothai, the caipital o the Sukhothai Kinrick. It is locatit aboot 12 km frae the modren New Sukhothai ceety. Not far frae Sukhothai are the Si Satchanalai Historical Pairk an the Kamphaeng Phet Historical Pairk. Baith wur ceeties athin the umwhile Sukhothai kinrick an o the same time period.

The province wis at first kent as Sawankhalok; it wis renamed tae Sukhothai in 1939.

Seembols
The provincial seal shows King Ramkhamhaeng the Great sittin on the Managkhasila Asana throne. Unner King Ramkhamhaeng the kinrick o Sukhothai flourished the maist.

Provincial tree is  Afzelia xylocarpa; provincial flower is the Lotus (Nymphaea lotus).

The provincial slogan is Source o naitional heritage, the Thai alphabets, the best Loy Krathong celebrations, firm foondation o Buddhism, the fine Teen Jok cloth, auncient chinaware, holy Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng’s mither, dawn o happiness.

Admeenistrative diveesions
140px|right|Map o Amphoe
The province is subdividit intae nine destricts (amphoe). These are further subdividit intae 86 communes (tambon) an 782 veelages (muban).
Mueang Sukhothai
Ban Dan Lan Hoi
Khiri Mat
Kong Krailat
Si Satchanalai<li>Si Samrong
<li>Sawankhalok
<li>Si Nakhon
<li>Thung Saliam

References


Category:Provinces o Thailand