Ancient Capitals of Thailand

Between the 13th and 18th centuries, Thailand saw the rise and fall of some of the most beautiful cities in South East Asia. The cities of Sukhothai-Sri Satchanali, Kampaeng Phet and Ayutthaya flourished as trading and religious centres, giving rise to a rich tradition of art and architecture. The remains of these cities constitute part of the Thai nation's legacy: all have been declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO. This book tours the main sites, showing the carefully preserved golden spires, the ornate buildings and temples, the statues and sculpture, and the other diverse artefacts that have been discovered. It explores the history of the cities, supplies background information on the Thai culture, and describes the original plans and layout of the cities.