Sukhothai Kingdom

Sukhothai, some 480 kilometers north of Bangkok, was the capital of the first truly Thai kingdom. Its third king, the great Ramkhamhaeng, is credited with devising the Thai alphabet from ancient Mon and Khmer scripts. The kingdom is credited with producing the most sublime religious art and sculpture ever seen in Thailand, and for manufacturing the most perfect pottery and Buddha images. Sukhothai also developed the concept of the Thai town – set four squares on the plain and protected by triple walls and intervening moats. Thais pattern was so successful in terms of defense (it allowed more wall forts) and flexibility to match the terrain that it was never abandoned.