Sukhothai province

Sukhothai (Thai: สุโขทัย, pronounced) is a province in lower northern Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, and Lampang. Sukhothai is located in the Yom river basin which has served as an important lifeline of the region since antiquity. The name Sukhothai comes from Sanskrit meaning 'the dawn of happiness'.

The province is home to the capital city of the namesake 13th-century Sukhothai Kingdom, which is traditionally considered the first state of the Thai people. The ruins of the historical cities of Sukhothai; its capital, and Si Satchanalai; its important city to the north, make up the group of monuments registered as UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites. There has been evidence of human settlement in the area dating back to the later Iron Age. The ancient city of Sukhothai can be traced back to the 12th century around the same period as the reign of Jayavarman VII, before King Si Inthrathit founded the namesake kingdom, making the city its capital.

Rice production makes up majority of the province's economy, followed by sugarcane, durian, and tangerine productions. The province is considered a "minor tourist destination", receiving more than a million visitors in 2024, generating over THB 250 million. Tourist attractions include Sukhohtai and Si Satchanalai Historical Parks; both of which are UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites, two national parks, and one wildlife sanctuary. Visitors also come for its traditional production of Sangkhalok ceramic ware, and its annual celebration of Loy Krathong festival. UNESCO included the province as a part of the Creative Cities Network for the City of Crafts and Folk Arts in 2019.