Thailand is a land filled with rich historical significance. So, it is quite evident that a trip to the ‘Land of Smiles’ is never complete without exploring its glorious history. For that, there’s actually no better option than visiting the magnificent historical parks located across severalregions of the country. Thailand is now home to eleven such parks which are maintained by the Fine Arts Department. These sites are packed with a variety of things which date back to the ancient times. Here, we have described about the five must-visit historical parks in Thailand.

Sukhothai Historical Park

Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on the area which once served as the capital city of the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13th – 14th century. The park’s 70 square kilometer land is divided into five separate sections. There are a lot of palaces, temples and several other structures which offer a glimpse of the country’s past. The site’s famous attractions include Wat Mahathat, Wat Sri Chum, Wat Phra Pai Luang etc.

Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park

Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site which once served as an important outpost city of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The area, divided into two different zones, is home to various ruins of Buddhist monuments which date back to the 14th century. The site’s must-visit attractions include Wat Phra That, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Klang Nakhon etc. Also, there’s a museum showcasing Buddha relics, ceramic wares and more.

Si Satchanalai Historical Park

Si Satchanalai Historical Park, located on the banks of Yom River, contains the ruins of the ancient Si Satchanalai city. The city served as a significant center of the Sukhothai Kingdom during 13th and 14th century. Here, you can spot numerous ancient Buddha figures, palaces, buildings and temples. Also, there’s a museum which showcases several things dating back to the ancient times. This park is also declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

Ayutthaya Historical Park

Ayutthaya Historical Park is built on the ruins of the centuries-old Ayutthaya Kingdom. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of more than 400 ancient structures including the royal palaces and temples. The major attractions of this park are Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Kasatrathiraj, Wat Kudi Dao, Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bopit etc.

Phanom Rung Historical Park

Phanom Rung Historical Park is built on an inactive volcano in the Buriram province, northeast Thailand. The area originally served as a Hindu religious site dedicated to Lord Shiva. Later, it was fully converted into a Buddhist one during 15-18th century. The park is abode to a lot of structures which reflect the Khmer style of architecture.