Founded in the 13th century, the ancient city of Sukhothai to the north of Bangkok, which literally means “Dawn of Happiness”, was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom and is associated with the golden era of Thai history under King Ramkhamhaeng, who is credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored and this magnificent collection of buildings Sukhothai's Old City has been awarded as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a favorite stop for history buffs and photography enthusiasts.