10 Places to Visit to Trace Thailand's History
Thailand, formerly called Siam, is a country rich with a history spanning centuries, marked by influential kingdoms, conflicts and cultural exchanges. Through these iconic sites, you will discover remains spanning various eras: from Khmer temples to historic capitals like Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, through colonial influences and 20th-century tragedies.
Each site reflects a unique architectural style and a specific period in Thai history, making this journey through time diverse. Here is a selection of 10 cities to travel through time in Thailand.
1- Chiang Mai: capital of the Lanna kingdom
chiangmai, founded in 1296 by King Mengrai, is the ancient capital of the Lanna kingdom, a prosperous region in northern Thailand. The young King Mengrai, heir to the kingdom of Ngoenyang (present-day Chiang Saen), chose to establish Chiang Mai as his new capital because of its strategic position on the Ping River, facilitating trade and defense.
Fun fact: The name “Chiang Mai” literally means “new city.”
For over two centuries, Chiang Mai remained independent and enjoyed a golden age marked by the rise of Theravada Buddhism, the influence of Khmer art and the flourishing of Lanna architecture. However, in 1558, the city was conquered by the Burmese, who imposed their domination there for nearly 200 years. It was not until 1775 that General Taksin, the future King of Siam, managed to liberate Chiang Mai with the help of local inhabitants. The region remained under Siamese protectorate for a century before being definitively integrated into the kingdom in 1892.
Wat Chedi Luang, one of the main temples in the old city.
Today, Chiang Mai is known for its many of the oldest temples in the country, such as the Wat chedi luang, which once housed the Emerald Buddha, and the Wat phra singh, emblem of the Lanna style. The region's unique culture is still reflected in the local language, Northern Thai, and its festivities, such as the Yi Peng (lantern festival).
- Wat Chedi Luang: This iconic Lanna-style temple, once the largest in Chiang Mai, once housed the Emerald Buddha.
- Wat Phra Singh: An architectural gem where the famous statue of Phra Singh Buddha is located.
- Chiang Mai Night Market: An immersion in local culture through crafts, street food and unique souvenirs.
- Doi Suthep: The mountain overlooking the city is home to the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple, offering stunning panoramic views.
2- Phayao: a forgotten thousand-year-old kingdom
Phayao was once a small, prosperous kingdom in northern Thailand, founded in the 1456th century. For nearly a thousand years it remained independent before being incorporated into the Lanna kingdom in XNUMX, under pressure from its expanding neighbor. The city of Phayao played an important cultural role in the spread of Buddhism in the region, particularly through its influential temples and monasteries.
Today, Phayao is a peaceful little town known for its exceptional natural setting. Its iconic lake, Kwan Phayao, is not only a place of relaxation, but also a historical site surrounded by ancient ruins and temples.
- Phayao Lake: The largest freshwater lake in northern Thailand, ideal for walks and sunsets.
- Doi Luang National Park: Perfect for hiking enthusiasts, with its waterfalls and spectacular views.
3- Sukhothai: cradle of the Siamese kingdom
Founded in 1238, Sukhothai is often considered the first great capital of Siam, marking the beginning of an era of cultural and religious prosperity. Before the rise of Sukhothai, the region was dominated by the Khmer Empire. However, the city's independence was proclaimed by two local chiefs, Khun Bang Klang Thao and Khun Pha Muang, who founded a kingdom that would expand rapidly under their successor, King Ramkhamhaeng.
Under Ramkhamhaeng, Sukhothai became a center of Theravada Buddhism, which was adopted as the state religion. He is also credited with creating the Thai alphabet, which helped unify the kingdom through a common language and culture. During its heyday, the Sukhothai Kingdom stretched from northern Thailand to parts of present-day Laos and the Malay Peninsula. However, its rapid decline in the 1438th century allowed Ayutthaya to emerge as the new dominant power, annexing Sukhothai in XNUMX.
Overview of Wat Mahathat from the south entrance.
Today, Sukhothai Historical Park, registered in Unesco World Heritage, is a moving testimony to this era. Its restored temples and monuments illustrate the artistic and spiritual flourishing of one of the first Thai kingdoms.
- Wat Mahathat: The largest temple in the park, with its majestic stupas and Buddha statues.
- Wat Si Chum: Known for its huge seated Buddha housed in a ruined building.
- Ramkhamhaeng Museum: To better understand the history and influence of Sukhothai.
My dedicated article:
Sukhothai Historical Park: discovering the most beautiful temples by bike
4- Ayutthaya: an influential empire
Founded in 1351 by the new King U Thong (known by his dynastic name Ramathibodi I), Ayutthaya quickly became one of the most influential cities in Southeast Asia. Strategically located at the confluence of three rivers (Chao Phraya, Lopburi, and Pa Sak), the city attracted merchants from all over the world, including Chinese, Japanese, Persians, and Europeans. At its peak, Ayutthaya had a population of over 1 million, surpassing even London or Paris at the same time.
The name Ayutthaya was chosen in homage to Ayodhya, a city located in Uttar Pradesh in India and supposed capital of Rama, the famous hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana, very present in Thai mythology.
Ironically, this name means "unconquerable" in Sanskrit.
The city was ravaged and pillaged for the first time in 1569 by the Burmese. Despite this blow, Ayutthaya recovered and continued to prosper with a peak in the middle of the 1767th century. The old capital was finally destroyed in 4 during a second Burmese invasion. The fall of Ayutthaya marked the end of a dynasty and a kingdom of more than XNUMX centuries, which led to the founding of a new capital further south, Thonburi.
The city's many ruins, including its temples and stupas, still bear witness to its past grandeur today.
- Wat Mahathat: This temple is famous for the Buddha head nestled in the roots of a tree, an essential symbol of Ayutthaya.
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet: Former royal temple and one of the largest in the historic park, with its emblematic stupas.
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram: Temple on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, offering a magnificent view at sunset.
My dedicated article:
5- Lopburi: between the Khmer empire and the kingdom of Lavo
Lopburi, known today as the " monkey city", has a fascinating history dating back to pre-Angkorian times. It was once the capital of the kingdom of Lavo, a powerful state influenced by the Khmer Empire, which at its height encompassed the entire Chao Phraya Delta region, and stretched north to present-day Phitsanulok and south to present-day Ranong, forming a sort of "proto Siam".
In the 7th century, Lopburi was a hub of trade and culture in the region. Its strategic position on trade routes linking the Gulf of Thailand to the north made it a key point for trade.
Phra Prang Sam Yot in Lopburi.
In 1388, the city was incorporated into the Ayutthaya Kingdom while retaining its strategic role. Under the reign of King Narai in the XNUMXth century, Lopburi experienced a new period of prosperity, becoming a secondary residence for the king and even his capital for a time. Lopburi then served as a diplomatic center for relations with France and other European powers.
Today, its Khmer ruins and monuments from the Ayutthaya period recall its glorious past, largely unknown because it is overshadowed by the admittedly atypical phenomenon of the monkeys around its iconic monument, the Phra Prang Sam Yot.
- Phra Prang Sam Yot: A Khmer temple has become a playground for local monkeys, which are now protected.
- King Narai's Palace: Former royal palace combining Thai architecture and European influences.
- Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat: Superb historical temple close to the train station.
My dedicated article:
6- Bangkok: the rebirth of a capital
After the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767, General Taksin, becoming the new ruler, established a new capital at Thonburi, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. He was joined in his ranks by another general, Chao Phraya Chakri, founder of the Chakri dynasty still reigning today. In 1782, he took power and would later be known by the dynastic name of Rama I.
For strategic reasons, he moved the capital to the East Bank, thus founding a new capital, Bangkok. Thanks to its central position and its network of canals (the famous khlongs) which earned it the nickname "Venice of the East", Bangkok quickly became a political, economic and cultural center, before undergoing gradual modernization.
Rehearsals of the procession, with Wat Arun as a backdrop.
Today, Bangkok is a vibrant metropolis that blends tradition and modernity, where historic temples and skyscrapers coexist.
Obviously, it is difficult to summarize such a vast capital in a few lines, but as for the other cities mentioned here, I must mention a few key visits.
- Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: One of the most iconic complexes in the country, home to the famous Emerald Buddha.
- Wat Arun: Majestic temple on the riverside, famous for its ceramics and Khmer architecture.
- Wat Pho : birthplace of Thai massage and home to the great reclining Buddha.
- Chinatown : vibrant and colorful neighborhood, known for its street food scene in the evening.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market: A huge market where crafts, fashion and gastronomy come together.
My dedicated article:
7- Buriram: Khmer treasures in the heart of Issan
Buriram Province, located in Issan (northeastern Thailand), has a rich past marked by the influence of the neighboring Khmer empire. For centuries, this border region was home to strategic and religious Khmer outposts, whose many remains testify to their past importance. Today, Buriram is a must-see destination for history and architecture lovers.
The region's star attraction is undoubtedly the Phanom Rung Historical Park, a Khmer temple perched atop an ancient extinct volcano. This site, built between the 9th and 12th centuries, was dedicated to the god Shiva. The perfect alignments between the gates and the sun during the equinoxes attract many visitors each year. Another fine example of a Khmer temple in the area is the Prasat Muang Tam, more modest, but just as fascinating and photogenic with its pools surrounded by nagas.
Phanom Rung.
Buriram has also become famous for its modern dynamism thanks to the Chang Arena, a football stadium home to Buriram United, one of Thailand's most popular clubs, and more recently, Moto GP. This blend of ancient heritage and modernity makes Buriram a unique destination.
- Phanom Rung Historical Park: Beautifully restored Khmer temple offering panoramic views.
- Prasat Muang Tam: A Khmer temple surrounded by pools reflecting its architecture.
- Khao Kradong Forest Park: Another extinct volcano, accessible by a large staircase, with views of the city and the remains of an ancient structure at the summit.
8- Kanchanaburi: memory of the Second World War
Kanchanaburi is infamous for its role during World War II, when the Japanese military began construction of the death railway linking Thailand to Burma. This strategic project aimed to transport munitions and troops to Burma, then a British colony, to support the Japanese war efforts.
The construction of this 415-kilometre-long railway was a real tragedy. Completed in just one year instead of the three initially planned, it cost the lives of more than 90 Asian forced laborers et 16 Allied prisoners of war, subjected to inhumane conditions: disease, starvation, and relentless brutality. Among the victims were British, Australian, Dutch and other captured soldiers. The most iconic stretch, known as the Hellfire Pass, owes its name to the hellish appearance of the workers working night and day by the flickering light of torches.
After the war, part of the railway was abandoned due to damage, but a 130-kilometre section, between Nong Pla Duk and Nam Tok, remains operational. Travelling this line by train today not only offers spectacular views, but also a reflection on the suffering that went into its construction.
Was it Kanchanaburi is so well known today, it is thanks to its iron bridge crossing the River Kwai, which has become in some way the symbol/testimony of this barbarity. If you haven't already done so, I advise you to watch the film The Railway Man (with Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman), based on the book by Eric Lomax, one of these British prisoners of war. Traveling through the region is to witness the work of these prisoners and workers, whether by visiting the various museums or by taking the train that runs along the cliff.
I invite you to go there as the province of Kanchanaburi is also rich in natural sites, notably for its impressive quantity of waterfalls, the most famous being Erawan.
- Bridge over the River Kwai: This steel bridge, made famous by the eponymous novel and film, is today a place of memory and a symbol of this dark period.
- JEATH Museum: Right next to the bridge you will find this privately owned museum dedicated to the lives of prisoners of war.
- Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum: A moving museum and a trail allowing you to walk in the footsteps of prisoners who worked in atrocious conditions.
Anecdote:
The Bridge on the River Kwai, immortalized in the 1957 film, is actually a mix-up: the real bridge built during the war crosses the Mae Klong River, renamed "Khwae Yai" after the film's success.
My dedicated article:
9- Prachuap Khiri Khan: between unknown history and idyllic landscapes
We remain in the Second World War for a while since Prachuap Khiri Khan, often overshadowed by Hua Hin, was the scene of a little-known episode of this period: in December 1941, the Wing 5 military base in Prachuap Khiri Khan was attacked by Japanese forces during their invasion of Malaya. Thai soldiers held out heroically for 33 hours before a ceasefire was ordered by Bangkok, sealing an agreement between Thailand and Japan. This event marked a turning point in the country's modern history.
At Wing 5 military base in Prachua Khiri Khan.
Aside from its recent history, Prachuap Khiri Khan is renowned for its spectacular landscapes, combining deserted beaches, limestone mountains and national parks. The best known being the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Thailand's first marine national park, has become a must-see destination with its beaches, mangroves and, above all, its caves, including one housing a royal pavilion bathed in light at the right time.
The town itself, with its hilltop temples and bustling markets, offers a more authentic and tranquil experience than the nearby resorts.
- Wing 5 Military Base: A historic site offering stunning views of Prachuap Khiri Khan Bay. Visitors can explore the base and climb a nearby hill to admire the scenery (weekends only).
- Ao Manao: Next to the military base is a crescent-shaped bay, ideal for swimming or relaxing, often much less crowded than other Thai beaches.
- Khao Chong Krajok: A hill with a temple accessible after climbing hundreds of steps. Be careful, the local monkeys can be playful!
- Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park: Its "300-peaked" mountains hide the famous Phraya Nakhon cave, where a royal pavilion bathed in natural light attracts the curious.
Anecdote:
Prachuap Khiri Khan is also famous for its spectacular bays and its unique landscapes, but did you know that it was nicknamed "the gateway to the South"? Due to its narrow geographical position, it is one of the narrowest points on the Malay Peninsula, measuring just 12 kilometers wide between the Gulf of Thailand and the Burmese border.
10-Vientiane: between eventful history and peaceful charm
Capital of Laos, Vientiane has had a turbulent history, marked by conquests and outside influences. Once an independent kingdom, Vientiane was conquered by Siam in 1778 and then razed in 1827 following a rebellion led by King Anouvong. During this period, many of its cultural and religious treasures were looted or destroyed, marking a tragic turning point for the city. In 1893, Vientiane came under the control of French Indochina, which helped rebuild the city with colonial architectural touches that are still visible today.
Today, Vientiane is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of other Southeast Asian capitals. This "sleeping capital" charms visitors with its peaceful atmosphere, golden temples, frangipani-lined avenues and sunsets over the Mekong.
Wat Phra Keo in Vientiane.
- That Luang: A national symbol of Laos, this golden stupa is one of the country's most sacred Buddhist monuments. Built in the 16th century on the ruins of an ancient Khmer temple, it is a must-see for pilgrims and visitors.
- Wat Sisaket: The oldest temple in Vientiane, famous for its thousands of niches containing bronze, wood and silver Buddha statues.
- Wat Phra Keo: A former royal temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha (now in Bangkok). Now a museum, it offers a glimpse into Laos' rich religious heritage.
- Patuxai: Nicknamed the “Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane,” this landmark is a unique blend of Laotian architecture and French influence. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the city.
Anecdote:
Did you know that the Patuxai was built in the 1960s with materials donated by the United States to build an airport? The final architecture made it a tribute to Laotian culture rather than a simple infrastructure project.
My dedicated article:
Vientiane: What to see and do in the peaceful capital of Laos
Did you know any of these places? Are you interested in the history of Thailand? (you have the right to say no!)
