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A testimony to every country's civilization and cultural heritage,
historical artifacts mainly serve to bridge the gap between past and
present and instill in the people a sense of belonging and pride and the
importance of cherishing their invaluable legacy.
Recognizing the need to educate people in the development of their
country and the vast drama and significance of events that Thailand
witnessed through historical and war years, 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 as World Heritage Sites.
The result of hard work of the Fine Arts Department in the excavation,
renovation and landscaping for several decades, each of these parks are
now equipped with tourist and information centers where tourists may
avail of arranges guided tours or immerse themselves in the park’s
information centers which document historical and natural data relevant
to the parks.
 1.
MUANG SING - HISTORICAL PARK, Kanchanaburi
One of the most important sites in the Khwai Noi River basin in
Kanchanaburi Muang Sing is one of the sites where prehistoric human
skeletons have been discovered near the ancient city. Metal tools,
vessels and ornaments, bricks, foundations of Dvaravati period
architecture and laterite ruins from the 13th century are also some of
the artifacts uncovered in the park grounds.
Remnants of the ancient city which comprise of several layers of
rectangular walls and a moat may be found in Muang Sing.
The annual festival within the historical park is the "Thin Buri Sri
Chai Sing" featuring a light and sound show and classical dances.
 2.
PHANOM RUNG - HISTORICAL PARK, Nang Rong District, Buri Ram
Historical monuments in the Khmer style from prehistoric times to the
13th century may be found in the Northeast District. Among these, the
one that holds the most significance is the Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung,
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 March or April each year.
 3.
SUKHOTHAI HISTORICAL PARK- Sukhothai
The oldest central Thai capital, Sukhothai was founded in the middle of
the 13th century. The city comprises of palaces and important religious
monuments, all surrounded by walls and a moat. The ancient city gates
can be found in the middle of the walls, which were constructed along
the lines of a square.
Outside the walls, ruins of scattered monuments may still be seen and
explored. The opening of Sukhothai Historical Park heralded a new era in
conservation of the national heritage. With its distinctive artistic and
architectural style, Sukhothai Historical Park was proclaimed by Unesco
to be a World Heritage Site in 1990.
Visitors may me interested to go to Sukhothai to witness the traditional
festivities to celebrate the Loi Krathong Festival that are held in
November each year.
 4.
SI SATCHANALAI - HISTORICAL PARK, Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai
A satellite town of the Sukhothai era, Si Satchanalai is located on the
bank of Yom River, 50 kilometres 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. Many historians believe
that the layout and design of Si Satchanalai served as the basis and
model of modern Thai city planning.
Because of its relation and role 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.
 5.
KAMPHAENG PHET - HISTORICAL PARK, Kamphaeng Phet
Khamphaeng Phet was one of the important cities 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 note that this city was once 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.
 6.
SRI THEP HISTORICAL PARK, Sri Thep District, Phetchabun
Once a communication center between the cities of Central Thailand and
those in the North and Northeast, the large ancient city of Sri Thep may
be found in the Pasak River basin. Archaeological excavations conducted
in the Pasak and Lop Buri river basins have revealed that
highly-developed prehistoric cultures flourished and lived in the area
with more advanced technology than that of any other sites in
neighboring areas.
 7. PHIMAI HISTORICAL PARK, Prasat Hin Phimai
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.
 8. AYUTTHAYA HISTORICAL PARK, Klong Tor Road, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
The capital of the Central Thai Kingdom from the 14th to 18th centuries,
Ayutthaya combines influences from the Dvaravati, Khmer, Mon, and Lawa
cultures which covered and developed through approximately 417 years of
its rule.
Ayutthaya exhibits a unique blend of all these cultures integrated to
create its own artistic and cultural identity.
During the reigns of 33 kings, Ayutthaya gave Thailand a great number of
fine buildings, monuments and works of art. It was declared a World
Heritage Site in 1994. An annual festival, Ayutthaya World Heritage Day,
is held in December within the historical park.
 9. PHRA NAKHON KHIRI HISTORICAL PARK, Muang District, Phetchaburi
Another important satellite city of the Ayutthaya, Phra Nakhon Khiri in
Phetchaburi province is the site of the Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical
Park. Commonly called Khao Wang (the palace on the mountain), it was
built on top of Samana mountain originally as a summer palace for King
Rama IV.
Within the park area are royal halls, temples and groups of buildings,
constructed following a mix of 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.
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
 10. PHU PHRA BAT, Ban Pue District, U don Thani
Situated on the Phu Phra Bat hill of Phu Phan Mountain, the park boasts
of 62 archaeological and cultural sites exhibiting 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. Festivities for tourists are held each
year in October in the park and its vicinity to celebrate Usabaros Day
and Ban Chiang World Heritage Day.
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