Thailand Guide
The central plains
Wat Sri Sawai
Opening time: Daily 6am–6pm
Price: B100 includes entry to the rest of the central zone
Address: Central zone, Sukhothai Historical Park; 12km west of New Sukhothai
The triple corn-cob-shaped towers, or prangs, of Wat Sri Sawai are architecturally significant. The prang represents Khmer ideals and Wat Sri Sawai was probably conceived as a Hindu shrine several centuries before the Sukhothai kingdom established itself here. The stucco reliefs decorating the prangs feature a few weatherworn figures from both Hindu and Buddhist mythology, which suggests that the shrine was later pressed into Buddhist service; the square base inside the central prang supported the Khmer Shiva lingam (phallus), while the assembly hall out front is a later, Buddhist addition.