Attractions in Thailand - Visit temples and statues

Historical Attractions in Thailand

If you're planning a Thailand holiday and want to add a mixture of culture and history to your trip, then you're in luck! Thailand is rich in cultural artefacts, enchanting history and of course, impressive temples.

Wander through ancient temples in Thailand during a tour in Ayutthaya, take in the beautiful scenery as you explore the hidden Khmer city in Sukothai, or visit the Temples of Dawn in Bangkok during one of our Bangkok tours.

If you're looking for a little inspiration for your Thailand trip, take a look at some of these historic attractions in Thailand.

If you'd like to start building your Thailand trip, check out our bite-sized Thailand tours or if you'd like to leave the planning to us, take a look at our ready-made Thailand holidays.

Historical Attractions in Thailand: Sukothai

Five and a half hours north of Ayutthaya, Sukothai is arguably one of the most significant historic attractions in Thailand. Sukothai was the first Thai kingdom and capital city between 1238 and 1376. Meaning ‘the beginning of happiness,’ Sukothai was a Siamese capital after two princes collaborated against the Khmer and occupied the city. The city became the northernmost border of the Khmer kingdom. At the time, the might of Khmers (originally from what is now part of Kampuchea /Cambodia) was in decline. During the 11th and 13th centuries the Khmer had taken over large parts of Thailand and also exercised a great cultural influence.

Attractions in Thailand - Walk through ancient ruins

Historical Attractions in Thailand: Sukothai

Sukothai's kigdom had its heyday under King Ram Khamhaeng, who reigned from 1283 to 1317. Here, agriculture and trade flourished, the Thai version of Theravada Buddhism took form, and applied art blossomed. The Khmer had an influence on the applied art and architecture, which was also influenced by the Indian and Sri Lankan cultures. King Ram Khamhaeng initiated the development of the Thai alphabet, which was based on the Burmese.

At the end of the 14th century the 'golden era' of the Kingdom of Sukothai came to an end with the rise of the kingdom of Ayutthaya.

Nowadays the area of the ruins of the city is a UNESCO monument, and despite their current condition, we still regard them as significant cultural and historic attractions in Thailand and their past glories can still penetrate your imagination.

Historical Attractions in Thailand: Ayutthaya

Steeped in ancient royal history, we think that Ayutthaya is one of the most fascinating historic attractions in Thailand. Ayutthaya was chosen by King Ramthibodi the First as the capital of his kingdom in 1350 and similarly to Sukothai, it became a border town with the Khmer and is named after Ayodhya, which is Sanskrit for ‘Not someone to be messed with.’ The Ayutthaya period surpassed the glory days of Sukothai with its cultural growth, political influence, and expansion of its borders. The latter extended far to the current borders of Laos, Cambodia and Burma, while the Sukothai occupied mainly a wide stretch of North-South. There were 33 kings who reigned over this kingdom for more than 400 years and the city of Ayutthaya was renowned for its enormous palaces and countless temples. Many of these attractions in Thailand can be visited during your Thailand trip.

Attractions in Thailand - Ayutthaya statues

Attractions in Thailand - Ayutthaya temple

Historical Attractions in Thailand: Ayutthaya

During a visit to this historic attraction in Thailand, you will walk through the ancient ruins of one the most thriving cities of its time. More than a million people lived in the city of Ayutthaya during its peak at the end of the 17th Century - which was more than the population of London, Paris or Amsterdam at that time. All Western visitors to the city enthused over the glory they found there. Similarly to Sukothai, Ayutthaya was surrounded by a city wall and water to keep invaders out. Unfortunately this didn't help. In 1767, the city fell to the Burmese after two years of siege, and was totally plundered. Everything that the Siamese held holy was taken away or destroyed. Golden statues of Buddha were melted, temples were desecrated and manuscripts destroyed. Anything not taken away by the Burmese can now be found in museums, one of which is the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum in Ayutthaya, opposite the city wall in Rojana Road.