Goerwitz

This picture is of the exchange student, Pannavit (Benz), who stayed with us in the United States during the 2002-2003 academic year. He's standing in front of ruins in the old city of Sukhotai, a major center of Thai culture during the 13th and 14th centuries. Its greatest king, Ramkhamhaeng, is credited with inventing the Thai alphabet.

Pannavit (Benz) and Jariya by the old-city ruins at Sukhotai.

If you ask Thais, they will tell you that Sukhotai was the first great capital of their country (the second being Ayyuthaya being the third and Bangkok). You will hear this also in official literature and at festivals, e.g., in Loi Krathong celebrations at Sukhotai.

I don't mean this picture to be crude. Rather, I include it because it exemplifies a lot of interesting things.

Photo of night celebration of Loi Krathong in Sukhothai, in the ruins within the old city.