The ancient chronicles tell us that in 1004 a city called Nakhon Chum was constructed on the west bank of the Ping River where Kamphaeng Phet was later constructed on the opposite east bank. By the 14 C Kamphaeng Phet was a major city of the Sukhothai Kingdom. It was an outer '' Wang '' or fortification to protect the inner capital city of Sukhothai. It is surrounded by a trapezoid about 2.2. kilometres long of large city walls varying in length from 200 to 500 metres. Inside of which were houses, barracks, palaces and temples. It was a significant medieval city, perhaps protecting 50,000 people. Khamphaeng Phet Historical Park is located 70 kilometres south of Sukhothai. Ruins survive today in laterite and stucco. The other original wooden buildings no longer exist. The ancient city is now an outdoor museum [ historical park ] set amongst magnificent trees and other plants. The City of Kamphaeng Phet was to the west of the ancient city of Sulhothai as was Si Satchanalai to its immediate north. Both were fortifications on the west against Burmese invasions.
|
