Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park

Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park

กรุพระเครื่อง เมืองคนแกร่ง

ศิลาแลงใหญ่ กล้วยไข่หวาน

น้ำมันลานกระบือ เลื่องลือมรดกโลก

Do you know? Thailand is a historical land and there are many historical parks such as Sukhothai historical park, Si Satchanalai historical park, Kamphaeng Phet historical park and Ayutthaya historical park. They are the most famous historical parks in Thailand. But the thing that I am interested that is Kamphaeng Phet historical park. Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park is an archeological site in Kamphaeng Phet. Along with Sukhothai Historical Park and Si Satchanalai historical park, it is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns. Kamphaeng Phet was not mentioned on the early Sukhothai inscription stones (while other cities were), indicating that it was initially not incorporated into the Kingdom or not of great importance. However it was recognized as a town of significance during the reign of King Li Thai. Moreover, three of them still have an identity of culture which relate each other many sides and they are also the first kingdom of Thailand. Now I will show you how Kamphaeng Phet historical park is interesting for visiting.

There are many ancient temples in Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park which are beautiful and interesting. Moreover, it still leaves the ruins for the new generations. First, I will take you to visit Wat Phra Si Iriyabot, Wat Phra Sing and Wat Chang Rop.

Wat Phra Si Iriyabot (วัดพระสี่อิรอยาบถ)

Wat Phra Si Iriyabot (วัดพระสี่อิริยาบถ) is located to the north of Wat Phra Non and have similar pond and bathroom facilities as its neighbour. Walls on the four sides are of laterite materials with an entrance also made of laterite. A Mondop structure houses Buddha statues in four postures-walking, sitting, standing and reclining in the Sukhothai artistic style. Today only the statue in the standing posture still remains.

Aged around the 15th -16st century, the lay-out of this temple is well organized. Significant construction within the Phutthawat area is a Viharn with its redenting base (both in the front and back sides). It situates on a large base called Paitee base. The front of Paitee base, there is a pedestal to place lion sculpture and a gate. At the Chook-Chee type of base inside this Viharn that is a place where a large size of the sitting Buddha image is. At the back of the base of the Viharn, it is the Mandapa where the four body movements Buddha image; the standing, walking, sitting and the reclining Buddha image are. The large Viharn was constructed showing that more attention was paid to the significance closed to the southern enclosure of the temple. While the Sanghawat is at the back next to the roll of the four body movements Buddha Mandapa.

Wat Phra Sing (วัดพระสิงห์)

Wat Phra Sing (วัดพระสิงห์) is believed to have been constructed during both the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods. With laterite walls, it has a square-shaped principal Chedi with arches on four sides. In front of the Ubosot are ornamental lion and Naga figurines.

Aged around the 15th -16th century. Its lay-out is in a rectangular shape oriented to the east. Its enclosure was built by a square shaped laterite posts that is in a row arrangement. At the temple frontage, there is a wayside shelter built by laterite. It was roofed with tiles. The significant construction within the temple is the Ubosoth that once was a Vihara. This Ubosoth had been modified by redenting it base both in the front and the back side. It situated on the Paitee base. At the terrace in front of the Paitee base, it was decorated with lion figure and guardian at the back of Ubosoth, the principle chedi decorating with the 4 Buddha image niches in its 4 directions. In Sankhawat area in the south of Phutthawat, it consits of sala base, the monk’s residence base and a pond.

Wat Chang Rop (วัดช้างรอบ)

Wat Chang Rop (วัดช้างรอบ) is a large temple situated on a high hill. Its main chedi of Ceylonese style is in the middle of the yard but its top part is broken down. The base is adorned with 68 half-elephants between which are Bhoti-shaped designs. There are also traces of demon and female dancers’ figures remaining.

Aged around the 15th -16th century. This ancient site is at the highest point of this hill. The large principal chedi is a round bell-shaped. Te square base is 31 meters width at each side decorated with fully furnished lime sculptures of 68 elephants showing only there front half. There are 1 staircase at each of the 4 sides decorated with lime sculptures of lion and guardian. At the top angle of the base (Lan Prataksin), a small stupa is situated at each of the four angles. The round bell-shaped chedi situated on an octagonal base decorated with lime sculpture (The story of Load Buddha) and terracotta (Kinaree and Swan). The vihara (viharn) which its redent base is in the front, the Ubosoth is in the northeast conner. A large laterite pond is found in front of the vihara, it has been existed in this ancient site for construction this temple.

Getting to Kamphaeng Phet province is easy. You just drive your car to Phahon Yothin Road about 358 km away from Bangkok. If you want to use public transport, you can take a bus to Chiang Mai, Sukhothai historical and Kamphaeng Phet. After that, you can take song-taew to Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park. I think it is very easy for you.

In summary, Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park is not ancient temple only, but also has more legends about the heroes of Thai people. After I went to visit Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park I admire our kings who protected their people and country. Moreover, they sacrificed themselves for Thai people and developed the country. Besides, I felt excited and interested in ability of Thai people in the past that they could create the beautiful temples and towns by their hands. I am glad to visit the 1 of 5 the World Heritage in Thailand. I think many of you should go to visit there because it is very beautiful and interesting places. I think Thailand remains many historical places which are waiting for us to visit.