South Zone

The South zone of the Sukhothai Historical Park is a little visited area South of the old walled town. The area is reached through the Namo gate (Pratu Namo) at the center of the Southern wall. The gate was fortified with a tower; in front of it are the remains of a structure that served as a guard post.

The South zone contains about a dozen ancient temples, in various states of preservation. The Wat Chetuphon is the largest temple of the South zone. Its most striking feature is a mandapa with four huge images of the Buddha in four different postures each facing a different direction.

Wat Kon Laeng

The Wat Kon Laeng is the first temple South of Namo gate. The small temple consists of a principal chedi set on a square base, the remains of a viharn and several small chedis.

Wat Ton Chan

A little further South on the other side of the road is the Wat Ton Chan, a small temple consisting of a chedi and a viharn.

The niches of the large Singhalese style chedi enshrine images of the Buddha. In front of the chedi stands the viharn that contains a seated image of the Buddha set on a high pedestal. The image is in a poor state of preservation with head and arms missing. A number of votive tables were discovered during excavations at the temple.

Wat Chedi Si Hong

A little further South across the road from the Wat Chetuphon is the Wat Chedi Si Hong. The temple consists of a main chedi, several smaller chedis and a viharn. Set on a square base is the circular main chedi. The base is decorated with stuccoed reliefs of elegantly dressed men and women wearing jewelry, holding up bowls with flora springing up out of them. Around them protruding from the chedi’s base are the heads of elephant statues; some of them still have creatures standing on top of their heads. Set around the main chedi are several smaller chedis.

In front of the principal chedi stands the viharn (assembly hall). Its base, part of the back wall and large columns with holes that supported beams for the wooden roof remain. To the back wall was a large brick seated image of the Buddha, of which little remains; only the outline of its base is still visible.

Wat Si Phichit Kirati Kalayaram

A few hundred meters East of the Wat Chetuphon is the Wat Si Phichit Kirati Kalayaram. The temple was built in 1403 by a Sukhothai Queen. Surrounded by open fields in the countryside South of the city walls stands a large, well preserved chedi visible from far away. The chedi is in an unusual design for Sukhothai, especially its base. The bell shaped chedi is set on a high square base consisting of four levels; the highest level has indented corners.

Wat Phrong Men

A little past the Wat Si Phichit Kirati Kalayaram is the Wat Phrong Men, a small temple comprising of a main chedi, a viharn and a few smaller chedis. The bell shaped main chedi is set on an octagonal base consisting of four receding levels. The chedi’s upper part has collapsed.

Wat Asokaram

The Wat Asokaram is found nearby the Wat Phrong Men. The temple was built in 1399 by the consort of a Sukhothai prince. It comprises of a main chedi, a viharn, a mandapa and several smaller chedis. The Wat Asokaram’s principal chedi was a lotus bud chedi in Sukhothai style. Today only the five tiered square base is still standing, the upper part has collapsed.

---

Temples in the South Zone

Some of the temples in this zone are:

• Wat Chetuphon

Other Zones in the park

• Central zone
• North zone
• East zone
• West zone