TH · Sukhothai · 17.02°N 99.70°E

sukhothai

Thailand's first capital: cycle past lotus ponds and huge seated Buddhas.

Best time
November to February is cooler and dry. Loy Krathong, usually in November, is celebrated here with lanterns, candles and light shows among the ruins. March to May is very hot.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Bangkok (about 2 hours), then a short domestic flight to Sukhothai or nearby Phitsanulok, or about 6–7 hours by bus. From Chiang Mai it's about 5 hours by road. The ruins are about 12 km from the new town.
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TH · Sukhothaisukhothai17.02°N 99.70°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Thailand's first capital: cycle past lotus ponds and huge seated Buddhas.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingSukhothaiTH, Sukhothai
KLsukhothai
≈ 1,559 km from KL, as the crow flies
This is a photo of a monument in Thailand identified by the ID

Photo: Khunkay · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

The ruins of Sukhothai, often called the first capital of the Thai kingdom, from the 13th century. The old walled city is full of temples, lotus ponds and big Buddha statues, spread across flat parkland made for cycling. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Makan

  1. Sukhothai noodlesRice noodles with pork, long beans and crushed peanuts in a sweet, sour and spicy broth.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Wat MahathatThe biggest temple in the old city, with rows of chedis and standing Buddhas.Map ↗
  2. Wat Si ChumA giant seated Buddha peering out through a narrow gap in the walls.Map ↗
  3. Wat Sa SiA small temple on an island in a lotus pond, best in the early morning.Map ↗
  4. Cycle the old cityHire a bicycle near the park entrance and ride between the ruins at your own pace.Map ↗
  5. Si Satchanalai Historical ParkAnother ruined city about an hour north, with far fewer visitors.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The park is split into zones with separate tickets, so decide which parts you want to see.
  • Start early. There's little shade and it gets hot by late morning.
  • Cover shoulders and knees, and don't climb on the ruins or the Buddha images.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.