History
Ceramic art was produced in different parts of present day Thailand. Sukhothai or Sangkhalok (as named by the Chinese) ceramics are maybe the most important subgroup, having been produced in a distinct area and time period (around the timeframe of the Sukhothai kingdom). However, it seems that nowadays all ancient ceramics of that time period are referred to as Sukhothai or Sangkhalok wares, further distinction basically made by archaeologists and professional collectors.
The kiln sites of the Sukhothai wares have been explored and are scattered over two main areas nl. the Sukhothai kilns outside the northern wall of the ancient city of Sukhothai, and the Sri Satchanalai kilns. One particular kiln in Sri Satchanalai has been excavated and is exhibited as an open air museum, a few km northwest of the Sri Satchanalai archaeologic site.
Production begun in the 13th century AD, possibly with the decline of Khmer ceramics. During the 15th century China was faced with an important crisis, opening the opportunity for Sukhothai ceramics to conquer export markets. Sukhothai wares have been found in Indonesia, the Philippines and China among other countries. They were a very important article of trade. Major collections have been found in sunken vessels around the gulf of Thailand, still in good condition after centuries in the water.
In the middle of the 16th century, production at Sukhothai was discontinued, possibly related to the wars between the kingdom of Ayudhaya and the Burmese, and the resurgence of Chinese ceramics.
At present, the most attractive examples of Sukhothai ceramics are in the hand of private collectors. Apparently there has been a time when the ceramics were not highly valued. Interested people have most likely acquired the wares on a first come, first served basis, by collecting at the sites themselves, or buying ceramics from local people at a cheap price. To value the beauty of Sukhothai ceramics, you should therefore look in the books I mentioned before (see sources). But, if you can, go to Wang Suan Phakkaat on Sri Ayudhaya Rd, Bangkok, to see the Ban Chiang ceramic art.