Sukhothai Thailand

Ruins of the former capital underline its relevance to the nation and, in particular, its arts. This despite a reign that lasted only 140 years before being overtaken by another capital. Written by John Hoskin for the Thai Airways magazine Sawasdee. This article is published here with permission to promote travel to Northern Thailand’s most historic and important ancient capital Sukhothai.

“For all the desolate, miserable, god-forsaken places on this earth, Sukhothai must surely be the worst.” So wrote Reginald Campbell in Teak Wallah, an account of his time as a forestry official in Northern Thailand in the 1920s.

Perhaps Sukhothai, 450 kilometres north of Bangkok, is not one of Thailand’s most inspiring towns, but just 12 kilometres away are the magnificent ruins of the Kingdom’s first capital, from which the modern town takes its name: Sukhothai.

Campbell may have had a blind spot for the history and culture of his host country, however his complete silence on the historical remains of Sukhothai is indicative of the neglect of the ancient site, so nearby, suffered until recently. In campbell’s day the ruins were likely all but obscured by jungle. Today’s traveller is more fortunate. Following the completion in 1988 of a decade-long UNESCO restoration project and subsequent designation as a World Heritage Site, Sukhothai now beckons as a fascinating historical park. Full former glory of Sukhothai is beyond retrieval, but the ruins that remain mark the cultural centre of Thailand and offer a superb insight into the early flowering of Thai civilisation.

Precisely one hundred years ago, Crown Prince Maha Vajiravudh, later Rama VI, made a historic eight-day visit to Sukhothai during a three-month journey in the north of the country.

Noted for his nationalism – the Kingdom’s flag, its modern education system and even the modern idea of a Thai nation are all a result of his reign – the Crown Prince’s 1907 journey served to underscore Sukhothai’s influence on the nation’s development.

Within the confines of the ancient city’s ramparts are more than 20 major monuments, while numerous other sights are scattered throughout the 70 square kilometre park. The Sukhothai ruins have been restored and stand amid manicured lawns and ornamental ponds themselves set off by a distant background of wooded hills.

Originally an outpost of the Khmer empire centred on Angkor in Cambodia, Sukhothai achieved independence in the first half ot eh 13th century when two Thai chieftains rallied their formerly disunited followers and established what was the first sovereign Thai state in Sukhothai. With the influence of both Pagan to the west and Angkor to the east declining at the same time, Sukhothai was well poised to become not only the capital of a new kingdeom but also a regional political and cultural hub of the first order.

As the undisputed power base of the new Thai nation, Sukhothai reigned supreme for only 140 years. In 1378 it became a vassal of up-and-coming Ayutthaya to the south and only 60 years later it was totally absorbed by the younger Thai nation. By the end of the 15th century, Sukhothai was abandoned. Yet in that brief time it established religious, cultural and political patters that continue to influence the nation. The history of Sukhothai in the Khmer period is still not fully understood. Khmer architectural touches are readily discernable in the ruins of the few Sukhothai temples, notably the earliest parts of Wat Sri Sawai and Wat Phra Pai Luang, but it is unclear whether the site was a fully fledged Khmer settlement or merely a military stronghold But whatever they did inherit from the Khmers, it is obvious that the Thais wasted little time in constructing their own capital on a scale and in a style befitting the birth of a nation called Sukhothai.

During the reign of King Ramkamhaeng, between 1279 and 1299, Sukhothai experienced its golden age. Under this monarch’s masterful leadership the kingdom was consolidated, politically throughout territorial gains and culturally through the adoption, from Sri Lanka of Theravada Buddhism.

It was Theravada Buddhism that served, as it still does, as the principal cohesive force in the Thai state. The Sri Lankan school of Buddhism had an enormous impact on art and architecture, its influence distinguishing the Sukhothai achievement above all else. This is most evident in the Buddha images, cast according to descriptions in Pali scriptures, in the details of line engraving, in decorative stucco work and most importantly, in the bell-shaped chedi.

Although Sukhothai’s political and social organisation was perfected under King Ramkamhaeng, the art and architecture of the city did not reach their apogee until around the middle of the 14th century. At that time, during the reign of King Lithai, a man noted both for his religious conviction and his scholarship, Theravada Buddhism was greatly strengthened through the Kingdom’s direct links with Sri Lanka. Previously, the faith had arrived indirectly via monks from Nakhon Si Thammarat in Southern Thailand. The result was building of chedis and other religious structures at both an accelerated and more refined pace.

The so-called lotus-bud chedi, characterised by a bulbous dome at the top of the spire and unique to Sukhothai architecture, then made its appearance. The construction of Sri Lankan bell shaped chedis Sukhothai also became more widespread, replacing the pyramid and round tower of the old Khmer style, while incorporating Singhalese stylistic influences in stucco decoration and line engraving. This is also the period, most historians agree, that the art of bronze-cast Buddha images reached perfection.

On the national timescale, Sukhothai’s glory was short-lived. Yet its brief passage does not truly reflect Sukhothai’s enormous contribution to the nationhood of the Thai people. In virtually all fields of human activity – political, religious, civic and cultural – Sukhothai established traditions that, despite later adaptations and development, are still discernible in the modern, present-day society.

The most vivid example of this influence is the Thai concept of monarchy, which originated in Sukhothai. The regional forerunners were more akin to the god-kings of nearby Angkor, but the Thai model, while similarly providing absolute power, made royalty more accessible, more paternal, than it had been under the Khmer. Such an ideal and practise of monarchy has served to bind and guide the nation throughout subsequent centuries, which in turn has helped to preserve a remarkable historical continuity.

Part 2 coming soon.

Alpenlofts at Garibaldi Springs Squamish

Built at the entrance to the prized and exclusive Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort, the Alpenlofts in Squamish are creative urban living spaces that are within North America’s outdoors adventure capital.

If you are looking for a recreational real estate property in Squamish or Whistler or if you would like to live or retire close to the new and exclusive Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort, the Squamish Alpenlofts residences and homes are clearly your choice of living spaces. Close to all the walking, biking, and hiking trails in addition to golf, hotels, shops, restaurants and more, the Squamish Garibaldi Springs Alpenlofts at the Golf Resort are a fine collection of fourteen strata genuine loft residences in addition to six Alpenlofts strata titled commercial spaces. You can move in today to the Squamish Alpenlofts residences at Garibaldi Springs Resort which will provide luxurious interiors with ceiling heights up to eighteen feet tall, Petina stained concrete flooor, signature spiral staircases and much more! The Alpenlofts in Squamish are condominium residences that have been designed by world renowned Les Furber who was the architect and design team behind the Golf Course at Garibaldi Springs in Squamish British Columbia. Natural settings, beautiful location and prime convenience are what make the Alpenlofts a prime residential area for urbanites as well as those seeking a quieter and slower paced lifestyle close to Whistler as well as West Vancouver.

More about the Alpenlofts

Also called the Alpen Lofts residences, these Squamish based condominium loft homes form the entrance to the all new Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort that is set to open later in the fall or winter of 2007. The Squamish Alpenlofts provide only fourteen unique lofts that have an alpine, natural and west coast nature style of architecture in addition to granite counters, stainless steel kitchen appliances, concrete flooring and vaulted 18 foot ceilings. These functional and open loft spaces at the Alpenlofts residences in Squamish are affordable and conveniently located to the urban city as well as the winter wonderland in Whistler, BC. In addition, residents at the Alpenlofts residences in SQuamish can enjoy ground floor retail and commercial spaces with local conveniences in addition to being at the foothill of the Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort that is opening soon. Brought to the market by Sea to Sky Premier Properties, the loft condominium suites at the Alpenlofts in Squamish are now available for purchase and immediate move-in as well.

Interest

If you are interested in these loft residences in Squamish, you can register online for more details from a sales associate at the Alpenlofts: http://www.alpenlofts.com/regform.htm. Also, you can contact the licensed Sea to Sky Premier Properties – Whistler BC sales manager Gerry Halstrom directly for more information about the Alpenlofts 40751 residence condos at the following phone number and email address: info@alpenlofts.com , 778.689.6000 or toll-free 1.888.324.4653. For a photo gallery with images of the interiors of the Squamish Alpenlofts 40751 at the Garibaldi Springs resort, please click on this following link on the Alpen Lofts web site at: http://www.alpenlofts.net/gallery.htm. Located along the Sea to Sky highway to Whistler, Squamish is a bustling town of more than sixteen thousand residents now and provides a wealth of outdoor recreational, lifestyle, and business retail opportunities to those seeking a change in their life. As a leader in outdoor recreation venues and facilities, Squamish, where the Alpenlofts 40751 residential condominium loft homes are located will be the base for some of these activities including: windsurfing, rock climbing, mountain biking, golf, parks, kayaking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, white water rafting, hiking, walking, and hockey.
Select pricing, floorplan availability and specific unit details are located online at the Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort Galleries Squamish web site at http://www.galleriescondos.com/graphics/Price%20Listmay06.pdf. As of April 2007, you can see that there is only one remaining Squamish Galleries penthouse unit left that is on the third floor with one thousand and twenty three square feet and priced at $340,900 (for two bedrooms, two baths and one flex pad). The second floor Galleries Squamish garden level flats and studios include everything from 2L and 2M which are 786 sq ft and $232,500 one bedroom condominium residences to GP J and GP K at 1344 square footage and $368,400 two bedroom Galleries condos. There are also some commercial spaces still available. For financing and bank pre-qualification mortgage help, please contact Paul Hudson at RBC Royal Bank at 604.898.2244 about the Galleries Squamish condos property development for details.

The Floorplans at Alpenlofts Squamish Lofts

The first floor site plan is located as a downloadable PDF document online here: http://www.alpenlofts.net/1stfloor.pdf. The second floor of the Squamish Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort Alpenlofts condos and presales Squamish real estate properties includes many of the residences and is seen in this siteplan document: http://www.alpenlofts.net/2ndfloor.pdf. The third floor in this modern yet traditional mid-rise residential and mix-used building at Alpenlofts 40751 in Garibaldi Springs Squamish, BC will feature many residence lofts including Units three to fifteen and floorplan types A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 and C. You can see more details online here: http://www.alpenlofts.net/3rdfloor.pdf. Lastly, if you are interested in the commercial or retail ground floor space at the Squamish Alpenlofts real estate development, please click on this site plan PDF: http://www.alpenlofts.net/Alpen%20Lofts-Commercial%20Main%20Floor.pdf. The Alpenlofts pricelist is also available online here: http://www.alpenlofts.net/pricelist.pdf. You can see that the condominium lofts at Alpenlofts in Squamish BC are very affordable and range in price between just two hundred and ninety nine thousand, nine hundred Canadian dollars (for one thousand and thirty one square feet) to three hundred and eighty one thousand CAD (for one thousand two hundred and seventy three sq ft). The commercial spaces at the Alpenlofts Squamish at the foothills of Garibaldi Springs includes Unit 4 at 1189 sq ft and $272,000, Unit 5 at 1190 square footage and $272,000 also as well as Unit 6 at 1650 square feet and $369,900.

Details about presales Squamish real estate and Whistler properties and realtors is found online here.

Toronto Rakes in 5-Star Hotels

New real estate hotel condo projects the first to be built in more than a decade in Toronto Ontario. Published in the North Shore News in April 2007. Author is Deborah Stokes a contributing writer.

Toronto: First it was the Trump Tower, then the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and the Hazelton. Now Shangri-La is the latest luxury hotel to take up residence in Toronto. For a city that thinks of itself as world class, the arrival of these stars would seem to confirm it.

We’re talking five stars, to be exact. Though none of these establishments are open yet – all are in various stages of construction or planning – this wave of luxury ends a long drought for Toronto. It is one of the few cities of its size and stature without a five star hotel. Not even the long-standing Four Seasons Yorkville, the city’s most popular address for visiting celebrities and business titans, has that ranking.

These new hotels in Toronto are also the first to be built in Toronto in more than a decade. Though they certainly fill a gaping hole in the market, on paper, at least, the five-star-hotel scene suddenly looks a little crowded. Has Toronto hone from none to too many?

“There’s only so much you can absorb,” says Lyle Hall, Toronto-based managing director of HLT Advisory, an international tourism consulting firm. None of these brand new hotels is alarge project, so the issue is not overcapacity, he says, and questions whether they will be able to charge five star rates. In downtown Toronto, the average room rate is $167 per night. Five-star hotels in other major cities charge upwards of $400 a night. Says Hall, “There are only so many people who will pay that. During the film fest maybe, but what do you do the rest of the year?”

The Shangri-La, announced this month, will go up on University Avenue, Toronto’s grand boulevard, across from the new opera house and close to the financial district. Set to open in 2011, it will bring 200 luxury hotel rooms to Toronto, a first rate spa, shops, lounges and restaurants.

Ian Gillespie, president of Westbank, the developer for the Toronto Shangri-La project (as well as the Shangri-La in Vancouver, set to open in 2008), says the competition at the high end “was actually a selling feature for us.” In his view, the Ritz, Four Seasons and others will help develop the luxury hotel market in Toronto, and make the city known to the high end international leisure traveler.

A few blocks away from the Shangri-La site, the Trump International Hotel and Tower at the intersection of Bay and Adelaide streets has been in the works for a couple of years. When finished ti will add another 290 upscale hotel suites. Further south in the business district, the Ritz-Carlton, which aims to open in 2009, will have 260 luxury rooms and suites, plus all the usual Ritz amenities such as restaurants and lounges, a spa and even a ballroom.

In Yorkville, not far from the original Four Seasons, the new Four Seasons will add another 265 five-star rooms to the scene by 2009. Meanwhile, its neighbour the Hazelton, which will be the first of the fab-five hotels to open, early this summer, will have 77 luxury hotel rooms.

All of these hotel condo projects have a big insurance plan should the well-heeled traveller fail to materialize. Each one is being built with luxury condos as part of the real estate project. The hotel-residence model allows the real estate developer to leverage the cost of the building and operating a five-star hotel, with the sale of residential condo units. And there are economics to be achieved on facilities such as pools, spas, health clubs, even concierge and valet services, when both guests and residents use them.

Selling luxury condos in the range of $400 to $600 a square foot is “the only way to build a luxury hotel in Toronto,” says David Larone, a director with PKF Consulting in Toronto, which specializes in the hospitality and tourism industries.

And living at a posh hotel is an attractive selling point, he points out. In fact, the hotel itself may be just another amenity for residents of these projects. “These aren’t hotels,” Hall says. “These are apartment building with a hotel tossed in.”