Modern town north of Bangkok on the River Yom in Thailand
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Sukhothai (สุโขทัย) is a small city (population 14,000 in 2019) in Lower Northern Thailand, 427 km north of Bangkok. Its attraction lies in the ruins of the ancient city Sukhothai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name translates as "the dawn of happiness".
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Mahathat Temple (Thai: วัดมหาธาตุ)
It is the most important temple of the Sukhothai Historical Park. The temple's name translates to temple of the great relic. The temple was founded by Sri Indraditya, between 1292 and 1347 as the main temple of the city as well as the Sukhothai Kingdom. The design is based on a mandala, representing the universe, with a principal stupa, built in 1345 to enshrine relics of the Buddha, surrounded by smaller stupas in eight directions. The main stupa has the shape of a lotus bud, which characterizes Sukhothai architectural arts. Its base is adorned with 168 stuccoed sculptings of Buddhist disciples walking with their hands clasped together in salutation. The eight smaller stupas, of which the four at the corners are in Mon Haripunchai - Lanna style and the four in between show Khmer influence. At both sides of the main stupa has two nine metre tall standing Buddha images called Phra Attharot (Thai: พระอัฏฐารส). The temple also includes an assembly hall (vihara), mandapa, ordination hall, and 200 subordinate stupas.
Palace Hill (Thai: เนินปราสาท)
It is the remains of the royal palace of the Kingdom of Sukhothai. The palace was built on a square base with the dimensions of 200 x 200 m. Nearby were two small ponds where the archaeologists found the remains of terracotta pipes which probably been used to supply water from a city lake to the ponds. In the southwest, there are the remains of a 1.5-m-high brick platform on which they found ashes and bones inside, so It can be assumed that it was the royal cremation place. The Noen Prasat was discovered in 1833 by Mongkut, who had made a pilgrimage to the north of Siam as a monk.
Si Sawai Temple (Thai: วัดศรีสวาย)
It is one of the oldest temples in Sukhothai. The temple was founded in the late-12th or early-13th century as a Hindu Shrine for Vishnu and the place for the Thiruppavai ceremony before the liberation from Lawo and foundation of Sukhothai Kingdom. The temple has three well-preserved laterite prangs, representing the Hindu trinity, enclosed by a double rampart and a moat. The lower parts of prangs are apparently Khmer, while the upper have been expanded or renovated by Thais in brick and stucco. The central prang is held in Lawo or Hindu-style. Each prang contains a cella, possibly a podium for lingam and crypt. There are few remaining stucco works on the top of central prang. Later around the 14th century the temple was adapted to the needs of the Buddhist faith: vihara were added to the south of the central prang. Chinese porcelains and Hindu god statues had been found in the area. One of artifacts is the Shiva statue discovered by Vajiravudh in 1907.
Thai: วัดสระศรี
Located almost at the centre of the central complex, Wat Sa Si is on an island surrounded by a man made lake, known as Tra Phang Tra Kuan. It is located west of King Ramkhamhaeng Monument and north west of Wat Maha That. It includes a huge white sitting Buddha with a bell shaped chedi in the background. Also in the complex is a vihara and the ordination hall..
Thai: พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์พ่อขุนรามคำแหงมหาราช
The giant statue of King Ramkhamhaeng stands almost at the centre of the Sukhothai Historical Park. King Ramkamhaeng ruled Sukhothai between 1279 and 1298 and was the third king of the Phra Ruang Dynasty, approximately. Built in 1971, the bronze statue is about twice life size, and depicts the king sitting on the Managkhasila-Asana throne.
Chedi surrounded by elephants (Thai: โบราณสถานวัดสรศักดิ์)
Located near the north gate (Sanluang) Wat Sorasak a bell shaped chedi (stupa). The base of the brick built chedi is surrounded by 24 elephant statues and it seems that the elephants are carrying the structure on their back. It was built in 1412 and named after its builder, Nai Intha Sorasak.The chedi was restored in the 1980s by the Thai Fine Arts Department. Next to the chedi are remains of an alter and an assembly hall.
Thai: โบราณสถานวัดซ่อนข้าว
This lotus bud shaped chedi (stupa) is just south of the north gate (Sanluang). There is no stone inscription and nothing mush is known about the history of the temple. Wat Son Khao might have been part of the Wat Sorasak. It was restored in 1965 by the Fine Arts Department.
Thai: วัดตระพังเงิน
Built in 14th century the name literally translates into Silver Lake Temple. The temple consists of a giant lotus bud chedi (stupa) along with a smaller chedi and an assembly hall. There is a giant statue of Buddha in sitting position along with a standing statue of Buddha, popularly known as the walking Buddha. Wat Traphang Ngoen is located west of Wat Maha Tat and is separated by a lake, The lake houses an island with the ruins of an assembly hall.
Thai: วัดชนะสงคราม
Wat Chana Songkhran is just north of the Wat Maha Tat and houses one of the largest chedis (stupas) of Sukhothai. The temple was probably built in the 14th century. Its name translates to Temple of the Won War. Remains of an assembly hall can be seen on the east but the statue of Buddha is no longer there.
Wat Wat Traphang Thong is an active temple on an island in the middle of a lake near the east gate (Kamphaeng Hak Gate). The pond is located west of the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum. The bell shaped chedi (stupa) is the oldest structure of the complex. The ordination hall was built in the early 20th century. A 21st-century mondop houses a Buddha footprint sculpted in stone. The footprint was made in 1359 during the reign of King Li Thai.
พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติรามคำแหง
Houses many artifacts found from archaeological excavations in Sukhothai, as well as those donated by the locals. The museum is divided into three premises: the Lai Sue Thai Chet Roi Pi Memorial Building, Museum Building, and Outdoor Museum.
Thai: ศาลตาผาแดง)
Thai: โบราณสถานวัดมุมเมือง
THai: วัดตระกวน
Thai: วัดใหม่
Thai: โบราณสถานวัดพระพายหลวง
Just north of the central zone, the Wat Phra Phai Lung group of monuments stands on an area surrounded by a moat 600 m long on each side. The group of structure consists of several monuments constructed over different phases and provides an insight into the evolution of Sukhothai art and architecture.The oldest monument in the temple are 3 buildings constructed in prasad form (imitated Hindu Shikhara Vimanas) out of which only 2 stands to this day.
Thai: วัดศรีชุม
Wat Si Chum complex is north west of the central zone and south west of Wat Phra Phai Luang. It is known for its giant Buddha statue known as Phra Achana (Buddha who is not afraid) and Phra Poot Dai (speaking Buddha).
Thai: วัดเตาทุเรียง
Thai: วัดสังฆาวาส
Thai: วัดแม่โจน
Thai: วัดตระพังป่าน
Thai: วัดสะพานหิน
Located on top of 200-m-high hill Wat Saphan Hin is the most visited monument in the western zone. It contains a 12.5-m-high statue of standing Buddha, known as Phra Attharot. The name Saphan Hin translates as ‘stone bridge’ and refers to the slate and stone pathway that leads to the top of the hill where the original temple once stood. Today apart from the giant statue only a handful of pillars stand. According to an inscription King Ramkamhaeng would ride his white elephant up to Wat Saphan Hin on the full moon to pay his respects to Lord Buddha.
Thai: วัดเขาพระบาทน้อย
Wat Khao Phra Bat Noi literally translates into Temple of the Hill of the Lesser Buddha Footprint. It is atop a small mound south west of Wat Saphan Hill and approximately 2.5 km from the Or Gate.A large bell shaped chedi (stupa) dominates the monument. There is a smaller chedi and remains of an assembly hall. The Buddha Footprints are exhibited at the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum.
Thai: วัดเจดีย์งาม
Located on a small mount and is approachable by a path way paved with stone slabs. It literally means the Temple of the Beautiful Chedi (Stupa). Wat Chedi Ngram is in between Wat Kamphaeng Hin to the north and Wat Tam Hip Bon to the south. With no inscription nothing is much known about the history of the Chedi.
Located on a quiet shaddy hilltop of about 200 m high, Wat Tham Hip Bon comprises two chedi flanking a modestly sized viharn (assembly hall). The remains of a smaller assembly hall and a few other structures are scattered about the site.
Thai: วัดมังกร
Wat Mangkorn, literally meaning the Temple of the Dragon, is about 2 km west of the west gate (Or Gate) and is directly on the road leading to the Wat Tham Hip Lang. A relatively large complex, the bot, surrounded by large leaf-shaped boundary stones.
Thai: วัดป่ามะม่วง
Located slightly north of the road leading out of the Or Gate (West Gate) this shrine consists of the remains of building in the temple include the ordination hall and chedis (stupa).
Thai: หอเทวาลัยมหาเกษตรพิมาน
Located about 500 m west of the Or Gate (West Gate) Ho Thewalai Mahakaset literally means the Building of the God or the Palace of the Gods in the Field. The temple consists of a mondop comprising eight brick columns on a sturdy base.
Thai: วัดตึก
Located about 150 m east of Ho Thewalai Mahakaset and about 800 m west of the Or Gate (West Gate). Wat Tuk literally means Temple of Masonry. The temple comprised a rectangular viharn (assembly hall) to the east and a sturdy mondop (statue pavilion) to the west.
Located about 200 m east of Wat Tuk and about 500 m west of the Or Gate (West Gate) the ruins include a manฺdฺapa and a vihara. The mandapa once housed an image of Buddha, which is now in ruins. Wat Si Thon was a place where a learned monk with knowledge of the Tripitaka from Sri Lanka stayed.
Thai:
Thai:
Thai:
Thai:
Thai:วัดอรัญญิก
โบราณสถานวัดก้อนแลง
Wat Kon Laeng is about 600 m south of Namo Gate (South Gate). The small complex main chedi on an elevated base like the one of a lotus - bud shaped chedi, a vihara and subordinate chedis made of brick.
Thai: วัดต้นจันทร์
Wat Ton Chan literally meaning Temple of the Sandalwood Tree is about 500 m south of Wat Kon Laeng. It consists of a spacious assembly hall and a large brick built chedi on the west. It is surrounded by a moat which is now almost dry. The assembly hall contains the torso and legs of an enormous seated Buddha.
Thai: วัดเชตุพน
Wat Chetuphon is the most impressive of the southern zone. Literally meaning Temple of the Divine General it stands 1.6 km south of the South Gate (Namo Gate). The centre of attraction is an elevated mondop (image hall) four Buddha statues facing the cardinal directions, sadly two of the statues are heavily damaged.
Wat Chedi Si Hong literally means Temple of the Four Rooms is 200 m southeast of Wat Chetuphon. The temple comprises a fairly small but artistically significant chedi, surrounded by more than a dozen subordinate chedi. The ruins of a spacious viharn (assembly hall) are located to the east. Stuccoed reliefs decorating around the base of the main chedi depict male and female in different attire with ornaments and their hands holding vessels with flora emerging from these containers, symbolizing fertility and prosperity. The stucco also includes elephant and lion figures.
Thai: วัดศรีพิจิตรกิรติกัลยาราม
Wat Si Phichit Kirati Kanlayaram literally meaning Temple of the Glorious, Honorable, and Beautiful Building is about 800 m south east of Wat Chedi Si Hong. Built in 1403 it is one of the few temples in Sukhothai where record of the foundation date and sponsor survive. A tall Sri Lankan styled chedi dominates the structure. Apart from the chedi remains of an assembly hall survives to this day.
Wat Wihan Thong is 1.6 km southeast of the South Gate (Namo Gate). A lotus bud shaped chedi dominates the ruined complex.
Wat Chedi Sung is 1.2 km east of the East Gate (Kamphaeng Hak Gate) and is about 200 m south of the main road. It houses the second tallest chedi in entire Sukhothai (only Wat Mahatat is higher) but the free-standing chedi seems to look taller.
Wat Chang Lom is about 500 m east of the East Gate (Kamphaeng Hak Gate) and about 100 m north of the main road. Like Wat Sorasak, which is located inside the central zone, Wat Chang Lom also consists of 32 elephants along its base.
Wat Tra Phang Thong Lang is about 600 m east of the East Gate (Kamphaeng Hak Gate) and about 100 m south of the main road. Its highlight is the square brick mondop with fine stucco work.
Proclaimed a national park on 8 May 1981. With a total area of in Si Satchanalai and Thung Saliam Districts, Si Satchanalai offers trekking routes through waterfalls and caves. There is Tad Dao Waterfall, originating from the Tha Pae stream. Thara Wasan Cave, with fantastic stalactites and stalagmites, is about 1.5 km away from the park's office. Wildlife is found here, including hundreds of thousands of bats. Tad Duan Waterfall, about 500 m from the office of the park, is ideal for swimming.
ศาลพระแม่ย่า
The shrine is highly respected by Sukhothai residents. It houses an idol of Phra Mae Ya, a stone figure with a long face, tapered chin, long halo and dressed as an ancient queen. The idol is supposed to have been built during King Ramkhamhaeng the Great's reign as a dedication to his late mother Nang Sueang. In this connection, the word Phra Mae Ya or grandmother in Thai is literally a term of endearment since the local people regarded King Ramkhamhaeng the Great as their father. The statue had been housed in a rock shelter of Phra Mae Ya Mountain. The Sukhothai residents relocated it to the present shrine in front of the City Hall. The shrine is also believed to house the spirit of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great. The Phra Mae Ya Fair is held annually in late February.
พิพิธภัณฑ์ปลาในวรรณคดีเฉลิมพระเกียรติ
It displays a variety of fresh water fish mentioned in Thai literature, such as the travel poems titled Kap Ho Khlong Nirat Phra Bat and Kap Ho Khlong Praphat Than Thongdaeng, and the Kap He Ruea boat song by Chaofa Thammathibet (Chaofa Kung).
พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติสวรรควรนายก
Houses exhibits in a two-storey building. Upstairs houses sculptural collections from various periods, mostly those formerly collected within the compound of Wat Sawankharam and offered by Phra Sawankhaworanayok. In addition, there are Buddha images, relocated from the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, from the pre-Sukhothai to the early Ayutthaya period.
ศูนย์ศึกษาและอนุรักษ์เตาสังคโลก (เตาทุเรียง)
Once the industrial area of Si Satchanalai. Numerous celadon wares in broken, as well as perfect, condition have been discovered. The kiln is oval in shape with a curved roof like that of a ferryboat and is 7–8 m long. The centre consists of two buildings situated on the kiln site area with two kilns Nos. 42 (ground level) and 61 (underground) exhibited in situ. There are also exhibitions on artifacts, academic documents, and on the evolution of ancient ceramic wares.
พิพิธภัณฑ์สังคโลกสุโขทัย
The museum displays more than 2,000 pieces of Sangkhalok ceramic wares collected from various local and international sources.
Pa Kho Luang
It covers an area of about , or 213,125 rai. It is full of wildlife and natural beauty, including tropical jungle and mountain. The park, in the province of Sukhothai, is surrounded by the districts of Kirimas, Ban Dan Lan Hoi, and the provincial capital, Sukhothai.
Thung Talay Luang
An apparently artificial heart-shaped island inside a heart-shaped water basin (from birds-eye view), with a shrine in the center.
One of Sukhothai's noodle restaurants. Not only Sukhothai noodles, but also Sukhothai-style pad Thai, Vietnamese food, desserts. The restaurant is only open in the daytime which mainly serves for brunch and lunch.
A rooftop restaurant and bar with good service, live acoustic guitar music, and Thai and Western menus.
In a charming rustic old Thai house, serves up a good selection of Thai and Western dishes. Attentive service, eclectic music, and charming decor. There is also a small guesthouse at the back. Chat with the owner Chabah if she's there. She is a genuine renaissance woman, Thai-style.
Mainly serves dinner. Also a drinking spot where you can enjoy sipping beer by the Yom River. The food is called "fish food". Sukhothai local fish (bla) dishes.
This is a Belgian-run restaurant offering Thai and Western food and a wide selection of cocktails.
Varieties of local food stalls. The night market is called "to-rung". It encompasses the food stalls along the Rachathani temple's fence.
Just old house with shared bathroom. Concession rate applied for long-stayers. Handy access to market, banks, conves, net-cafe. Free to use utensils and hot water. Always-helpful-manager is also a certified Thai Massage
Thai style garden bungalows with private bath and veranda with daybed. Has a restaurant; cooking classes and massage available.
Large bungalows with Fan or A/C. Has a large pool.
This is a typical guesthouse, with a restaurant and a number of rooms available. Rooms contain a fan and share a bathroom, with hot water available.
A selection of rooms and bungalows. Free Wi-Fi.
Simple, uninspiring guest House a bit a way from the bussy main road. Staff is friendly but tries to sell. Bargain hard to get a reasonable price! Free wifi and computer access. Some travelers report that the owner wasn't clear about charges per night and they felt they were overcharged
A nice place to stay. Clean rooms with free Wi-Fi. There is a big difference between rooms. Take some time to check and bargain the price. You also get two Singha (500 ml) water bottles per day and dodgy bicycles to choose from for free. Plus they run a nice homey restaurant with OK prices. The staff are friendly and attentive.
Clean rooms with big bed, fan and private bathroom with hot shower. Run by a Thai- and English-speaking Japanese woman and her tuk-tuk-driving Thai husband.
Very welcoming and efficient young staff. Rooms are nicely decorated, the bungalows are very nice too. Rooms have fan or air-con and shared or en suite bath.
Family-run guesthouse. Rooms with fan and air-con and bungalows with fan. All with private shower and toilet. Free Wi-Fi. Motorbikes for rent. Advice on touring the old and new city. Good for the price.
This is a teak house with a small number of basic rooms and some dorm beds. With fans, cold water and shared bathrooms, these are a good value.
Very friendly staff, good information and free maps, very clean rooms with private bathrooms. Wi-Fi in all rooms. Small restaurant. Tuk-tuk price from bus station: 40 baht (day), 100 baht (night). The owner organises great trips around town. Wide selection of maps, guides and travel info at your disposal.
A cosy boutique hotel in the heart of town. All rooms are in Thai-style teak houses with verandas, surrounded by fish ponds, lotus flowers and beautiful tropical gardens. The lobby is an excellent place to relax and read a large selection of magazines, books and newspapers. Other services include local transport, travel bookings, cars with driver, and guides in French and English.
Guesthouse with 6 rooms and swimming pool. Breakfast included. Owners very helpful and will take you to and from the historical park, which is 4 km away.
A small guesthouse with clean rooms, a swimming pool, and Italian/Thai owners. It is within biking distance to the old city, but there are only two restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The owner is well-versed in English and is very helpful. There is Wi-Fi, breakfast and a garden.
A big Thai house with a nice swimming pool in the city. Helpful staff.
Eco-friendly hotel. 15 bungalows, all featuring a comfy bed, hardwood floors, private bathroom with hot water, AC, TV, fridge, kettle, desk, terrace. Free Wi-Fi accessible from the whole property, 24-hour security, friendly staff members, with the front desk ones speaking an excellent English. Free buffet breakfast 07:00-10:00. Extra services such as free cookies & tea/coffee all day long, umbrellas provided when it rains. Bicycle rental possible. Snack bar. Plenty of restaurants around. Swimming pool 09:00-21:00. English landscape garden with benches, hammocks, wooden games for adults and kids.
Rooms are air-con with TV and bar fridge. Has a restaurant and there are others within walking distance including street stalls.
A family guesthouse with clean rooms, beautiful decorated garden. You can relax in front of the room on a teak terrace. The Panang curry is a highlight of the restaurant.
Beautiful bungalow-style guesthouse. Each bungalow is air conditioned and has a small terrace and garden view. Reception lends bicycles (50 baht/day), so everywhere you need is only a 5-min ride away. Massage in your room possible.
Available in all historic styles, sizes, and materials. It's forbidden to export Buddha figures from Thailand, even though it is commonly done.
Electronics
A large electronics shop with good prices for digital cameras, memory cards, MP3s, etc.
By train
Take the (express) train (7 hr from Bangkok or Chiang Mai) to Phitsanulok and go by bus from there (1 hour). A tuk-tuk to the bus station costs 60 baht.
By bus
Sukhothai only has a small bus station, but the old and new city can be easily reached from all points.
Songthaews to Old City
Large blue songthaews to Old Sukhothai leave from the Bus Station (look for the "Market - Old City" bus stand) and well recognisable roadside Bus Stop to Old Sukhothai on Charodwithitong Rd,…
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Regional · THS
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Sukhothai and Thailand.
Full 2026 list of visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders. Check ASEAN entry rules, stay limits, and Bureau of Immigration clearance tips.
6 min read
Explore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
Explore the best places to visit in February across snow festivals, world-famous carnivals, tropical island beaches, and polar night aurora displays.
6 min read
Discover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.