Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a small city in Northern Thailand, about 427 km north of Bangkok and 217 km south of Chiang Mai. The city is famous for the ruins of the ancient city Sukhothai. The name of the city means "dawn of happiness".

Sukhothai Historical Park

Sukhothai Historical Park is about 12 kilometres from New Sukhothai. The historic town of Sukhothai with related areas is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sukhothai Historical Park covers about 70 sq km and the ruins of about 200 temples can be found in the area. The park contains ponds covered with lotus flowers and lots of greenery making it a very picturesque place. 

You can find the ruins of various styles ancient temples in Sukhothai Historical Park as some of the temples are pure Sukhothai style and others were just adapted into Buddhist temples and you can see strong Khmer influence in them. 

Temples of Sukhothai Historical Park boast a big number of ancient Buddha images, the largest of them measuring 15 meters high and 11 meters wide.

Check our Sukhothai Historical Park page and get inspired to visit this historical masterpiece of Thailand. 

Ramkhamhaeng National Museum

If you like knowing the history in details and a visit to museum is a must do for you, you should visit Ramkhamhaeng National Museum which is located in the Sukhothai Historical Park (just near the main entry to the central zone of the park). Most of the objects on display in the museum are from Sukhothai and other historic towns of the area.

Where to Stay in Sukhothai

You can choose hotel in New Sukhothai or accommodation in Old Sukhothai near Sukhothai Historical Park. For places to stay in Sukhothai check Hotels in Sukhothai on Booking.com or Hotels in Sukhothai on Agoda.com.

How to get to Sukhothai?

You have few options for reaching Sukhothai, including traveling by air, by train and by bus.

Flights to Sukhothai

The city has its own Sukhothai Airport (THS). The airport is located about 25 kilometres from the city. However, only Bangkok Airways operate flights to Sukhothai Airport from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. It's the most convenient and expensive way for reaching the ancient capital. Flight deals for this route can be found here:

Flights from Bangkok to Sukhothai Airport (THS)

Flying to Phitsanulok Airport (PHS) from Bangkok or Chiang Mai with low-cost airlines and then taking a bus for one hour long trip from Phitsanulok to Sukhothai (leaves every half hour or so) is significantly cheaper. Flight deals can be found here:

Flights from Bangkok to Phitsanulok Airport (PHS)

Train to Sukhothai

Taking northern line train from Bangkok or Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok and then taking a bus for about one hour long trip from Phitsanulok to Sukhothai (leaves every half hour or so). Trains to Phitsanulok depart from Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok. Train tickets can be booked here:

Train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok

Train from Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok

Bus to Sukhothai

Long-distance buses of various companies connect the bus station of New Sukhothai with Bangkok, Chiang Mai and all major cities in Thailand. Buses to Sukhothai leave from Mo Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok. Bus tickets can be booked here:

Bus from Bangkok to Sukhothai

Weather in Sukhothai

Between November and May the weather is mostly dry with little rain expected for much of this time. The dry season in Sukhothai is broken up into the periods of cool season (November to February) and hot season (March to May), when it is not unusual for the temperature to reach up to 40°C.

The wet season in Sukhothai is from May to October. The rain usually comes in the form of short showers, lasting an hour or two. As the rainy season progresses, the rain can become heavier and more constant, traditionally reaching peak levels in August and September.

For the best time to visit Sukhothai check our Northern Thailand weather ratings chart.

Planning to travel around Thailand after visiting magnificent temples of Sukhothai? Check when is the best time to visit Thailand's other destinations.