By air
Sukhothai (THS), ~30 km; limited flights from Bangkok
Southeast Asia · Thailand
Sukhothai, Thailand
The first Thai capital, among lotus ponds
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to February — cool and dry; Loy Krathong lights the park in November
Don't miss
Wat Mahathat
Wat Si Chum's giant seated Buddha
Wat Sa Si
Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
Things to do
Cycling the old city at dawn
The Loy Krathong festival
A day trip to Si Satchanalai
Where to eat
What to pack
Sun hat, water, something comfortable for cycling
A quieter corner
Wat Saphan Hin, a hilltop standing Buddha west of the old city
Questions travellers ask
When should I plan a trip to Sukhothai?
November to February is cool and dry, and in November the Loy Krathong festival lights the park.
How should I explore Sukhothai's old city?
Cycle the old city at dawn, with a sun hat, water and something comfortable for cycling.
Can I fly to Sukhothai?
Yes, Sukhothai (THS) is about 30 km away, though flights from Bangkok are limited.
Which sights should I prioritise in Sukhothai?
Wat Mahathat, Wat Si Chum's giant seated Buddha, Wat Sa Si and the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum. Also seek out Wat Saphan Hin, a hilltop standing Buddha west of the old city.
About Sukhothai
- Inland
Where it is
Sukhothai lies in the lower north of Thailand, on the plain of the Yom River, and the walled ruins of the old capital stand about 12 km west of the modern town.
History
Sukhothai became the capital of a Thai kingdom in the 13th century, traditionally seen as the moment local rulers threw off Khmer control, and it flourished under King Ramkhamhaeng, traditionally credited with devising the Thai script. By the 15th century it had been absorbed by the rising power of Ayutthaya, and its ruins are protected, with those of Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
People
Sukhothai's people speak Central Thai and farm rice across the plain, and the province keeps old crafts alive: Sangkhalok ceramics, goldwork in the ancient Sangkhalok style, and the tin chok weaving and mud-dyed cloth of Si Satchanalai district.
Known for
- Wat Mahathat and its lotus-bud chedi
- The giant seated Buddha of Wat Si Chum
- Cycling the historical park at dawn
- The graceful walking Buddhas of Sukhothai art
- Sukhothai-style noodle soup
Did you know?
Thai tradition holds that Loy Krathong began at the Sukhothai court with Nang Nopphamat, said to have floated the first decorated raft, though historians regard her story as a literary invention of the Bangkok period.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.