The Sukhothai Kingdom for Unit 1 of AP World History
Cate O'Donnell
1 min read
Dec 21, 2023
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The Sukhothai Kingdom is considered the first independent Thai kingdom. It was established by King Ramkhamhaeng, after breaking away from the Khmer Empire. The kingdom played a pivotal role in shaping Thai identity and culture, laying the foundations for the future Thai nation-state. King Ramkhamhaeng is credited with creating the Thai script and fostering a sense of unity among diverse ethnic groups within the empire. The Sukhothai period is often considered a “Golden Age” marked by economic prosperity, cultural achievements, and the spread of Theravada Buddhism.
You can read and watch videos on the Sukhothai Kingdom using Google Slides, or you can scroll down to read on the website.
The Sukhothai Kingdom
The Sukhothai Kingdom was the first modern Thai kingdom. It was located in modern Thailand and stretched down into the Malay Peninsula.
The kingdom was formed in 1238 when two Thai chieftains declared independence from the declining Khmer Empire. The kingdom’s leaders added territory through military advances and diplomacy by making alliances with neighboring kingdoms.
Much of modern Thai art and architecture is influenced by the Sukhothai Kingdom. The Thai alphabet was developed at this time as well. The official religion of the kingdom was Theravada Buddhism.
In the 14th century, the Sukhothai Kingdom started losing territory and was gradually overtaken by the Ayutthaya Kingdom. By 1438, Sukhothai was only a province of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
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Developments in South and Southeast Asia from 1200 to 1450
Unit 1:The Global Tapestry
AP World History
