Siri meets Siri, we explore the historic capital temple complex and meet the tourist police
Day 3: Sukhothai – first full day in Thailand and we explore Sukhothai National Park Temple complex
Our first guide – named Siri – no kidding!Our first tourist police officer – Chiang – guess our guide forgot to fill out the proper paperwork since she was in such a rush this morning when our hotel called her.The kind officer gave us a brochure about the eight day festival. He was not as nice to our guide – she was detained for almost an hour and only got out of paying a hefty fine by calling our hotel owner directly who then called the officer’s boss – guess it still matters who you know.Biking through the countryside Our fine single speed beach cruisers – actually did just fine for the flat 20 mile bike rideOur first elephant – at the bottom of a temple… Next to a four armed figure holding a tree of lifeOur first of many temples of the day – did not make it to all 90+ temples in the park. A typical design with the building in front where monks would help educate the people – like the first schools and then the bell shaped stupa in back. Be sure to always walk around clockwise – for good luck The rare walking buddhaTaking a break for teaThe standing buddha – had to climb 200 feet up a steep hill for this one. Our guide told us how she interpreted the symbolism in the statues – The eyes are down since one must first see themselves clearly before helping others, ears are long since one must always hear both sides equally, hair is curly as a sign of deep thinking, and the burning flame of knowledge on top. The feminine body is distinct to Thailand – she thinks it makes the Buddha more beautiful.The sitting buddha – this is the temple where we got to meet the tourist policeThe mixed temple – sort of like a mullet – Buddhist in front and Hindi in back. The King’s way to help the country transition to his new national faith.Dogs are surprisingly docile here – they don’t even move out of the road as you bike buAt the festival – these are the offerings to place in the water to thank the water gods
Today was a full day of exploring the Sukhothai National Historic Park – the site of over 90+ temples from Thailand’s first truly independent kingdom in the 13th century.
I will let the pictures do the talking for now. Very auspicious that our first guide goes by Siri (SiriLakkka is her full name). Also, didn’t realize there was such a thing as a tourist police.
Check out the unique Thailand style buddhas. We joked that this is “Skinny” buddha – not “fat” budha that one might see in other cultures.
About the tourist police. According to our guide, she said she took full responsibility for not doing the paperwork on time, but that wasn’t enough to just get a warning. So, fortunately for her, she had the personal cell phone of the hotel owner and he answered on a Saturday and then called his friend the police chief who then had her let go without a fine – this time.
Just over coffee that morning, she was telling us that in general she would say that Thai people are fairly relaxed and don’t always follow rules if they don’t make sense. Like there was a rule to have a different license for a small and a large scooter, but this was changed because no one followed it. One time, Siri tells us, her own mother was pulled over by the police for not wearing a helmet while riding her scooter. Her mother informed the officer that she was just headed out to her work in her farm – and everyone knows no one wears helmets in the countryside (partly because there are no police officers there to enforce the rule). The officer thought about it a bit and then had to agree with her – he gave her a warning.
After Siri returns from her long talk at the tourist police office she tells us, “I guess I should have worn my helmet today.”
Siri and David Adventures 