Thanon Phra Ruang, Archaeological site in northern Thailand.
Thanon Phra Ruang is an archaeological site in northern Thailand consisting of roughly 120 kilometers of earthwork embankments and water channels connecting three ancient cities. The structure runs between Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai, and Kamphaeng Phet and displays features of early settlement infrastructure.
The site was built to connect ancient cities in medieval Siam, though its exact timeline of construction remains uncertain. A crown prince traveled the entire length on elephant in 1907 and initiated the naming of this historical route.
The name comes from Phra Ruang, a legendary figure in Thai tradition whose story connects to the founding of the first Thai kingdom and liberation from Khmer rule. Today the earthworks serve as a tangible link to this foundational period of Thai identity.
Visitors should know that modern highway construction (Highway 1113) has made access to certain sections difficult. It is recommended to research accessible portions beforehand and focus on the more reachable segments.
Research by scientists from two universities suggests the structure served as a water management and irrigation system that may predate the Sukhothai Kingdom itself. This discovery raises new questions about the earliest civilizations in the region.
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