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City municipality in Thailand
Photo: Ilya Plekhanov, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Phitsanulok (พิษณุโลก) is a historic city in Lower Northern Thailand, about halfway between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. It has a population of around 80,000.
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With around 100 local species such as parrots (English is spoken!) and hornbills.
The spiritual centre of the city and province. A Lak Mueang (Thai) or 'City Pillar Shrine' is a golden pillar, which represents the tutelary deity of each province of Thailand, housed inside an impressively designed structure. This shrine was designed by the Thai Fine Arts Department, in a Khymer-style.
A small museum exhibiting local culture and society, as collected by Sergeant Major Tawee. Interesting, worth a look.
Once a symbol of Phitsanulok, only a few of these are left on the river and some now function as restaurants and cafes.
King Naresuan was one of the great Thai kings who liberated Ayutthaya Kingdom from the Burmese in the 16th century. This shrine commemorates his life. A small white building contains the statue of the King. Surrounding the shrine are the ruins of the king's palace birthplace.
Wat Yai
This is the most important temple in Phitsanulok and is the home of the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat, one of the most revered Buddha figures in Thailand. The temple is host to a large fair every January. There is also a small market on the ground, where people offer souvenirs and local food. Connected to the temple ground of Wat Yai is the Nang Phaya Temple. There you can get a traditional Thai massage.
This wat is best known for its very old and tall chedi. According to legend this was constructed in the 15th century to house the ashes of the King of Sukhothai's two brothers. There is also the usual Thai temple buildings, plus, a small museum, and a boat used by King Chulalongkorn.
The ruins of a 15th century royal temple. Similar in architecture to what can be seen in Sukhothai.
Offers lots of tourist type food options plus after dinner shopping with the usual night market items.
Shopping mall with standard chain restaurant fare. There is a Tesco-Lotus downstairs for self catering and other essentials.
Offers a wide range of small restaurants and a food hall.
Thai and foreign food, cakes and coffee.
ก๋วยเตี๋ยวห้อยขา
Very popular noodle restaurant by the riverside. "Kuai Tiao" means noodle and "Hoi Kha" to dangle one's legs, referring to the fact that you can dangle your legs in the air while sitting there. May be difficult to find a seat during lunchtime.
A small bubble tea stall / kiosk offering really cheap, but tasty bubble tea. Open throughout the day.
Great cakes and good sandwiches, pasta, and Thai dishes. Internet access.
Great little coffee shop mainly visited by young local students, with surprisingly good coffee and a quiet environment, good seating, and aircon. Free Wifi.
From the outside this hotel doesn't look much, but it has clean fan or air-con rooms with hot water, Wi-Fi and Thai TV. From the bus station, bus numbers 6, 8, and 12 stop opposite the hotel.
Pleasant 6 storey hotel, past the Big C on the main road (Mittraphap Rd) out of the city, down a side street, sign on main road. A bit away from the city, but on the ground floor of the hotel is a mini-mart, laundry, massage, and a small restaurant. Bus to the city 9 baht, motorbike 50 baht.
Very clean and good beds. Moderate prices, starting at 300 baht for a single fan room and 400 for double, both with en suite bathroom. "Variable" (good one moment, terrible the next) in-room Wi-Fi is free of charge (but on a time limited basis and not on your checkout day). Asian breakfast is included, and there is also a cafe downstairs in the building.
Clean, Spartan fan rooms for 100 baht. Shared bathrooms. Along one of the busier roads in town, so ask for a back room if noise is usually an issue for you. Pay another 20 baht for wireless password, good Internet speed. Good location, with night market & railway station nearby. Checkout time is 11:30. Friendly & helpful staff.
Very nice hotel - 2-storey with rooms surrounding central garden with water features. Bath, air-con, TV and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Outside the city near Big C. Bus (9 baht) and songthaew (10 baht) during the day but no transport into the city in the evening; meaning you have little choice of what to do in the evenings as the place is quite remote. There are a few restaurants across the motorway open at night. Monthly rate 3,500 baht is for a minimum of 3 months stay.
Big hotel with small rooms. It feels like a barracks, the rooms cost 200 baht. Not really a bargain but it's OK. Fan, table, chair, shower, Thai toilet. You get toilet paper, water, soap, and a towel. The staff hardly speak any English. Good option if you arrive with the train late at night.
Small hostel with only a few beds which come with curtains. The owner, Mark, is really nice and is a foreigner so speaks really good English. Location is central and good. The rate for a fan dorm bed is 180 Baht. They also have an A/C dorm. Free WiFi is available and good. Also there's a rootop area with hammocks. Breakfast is with toast plus jam and cereals and it's on a pay what you think it's worth basis (not free).
Free airport transfer.
Hot water in the shower. Breakfast is basic Thai food, and it was quite cold not all that late in the morning.
Part of the Topland Plaza shopping centre, this is one of the better hotels. Buses to Sukhothai leave from in front of the hotel. It is well worth the money, though can be noisy at night as it contains a popular night-club. This hotel has a lunch and dinner buffet. Price in the 200 baht range. Good range of eats.
By train
There are several daily services from Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Phitsanulok is roughly halfway along the line, so travel times in both directions are about 6-7 hours.
By bus
The Bus Terminal 1 is 2 km east of the train station, just off Singhawat Rd (a 60 baht tuk-tuk ride) and is mainly for local/regional traffic.
Public buses serve the town and there is no shortage of tuk-tuks and taxis.
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Phitsanulok · Regional · PHS
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