• Home
  • Start Here
  • Work With enSquaredAired
  • Press & Features
  • For Bloggers
  • Start A Blog
  • Food
  • Life & Wellness

enSquared♡Aired

  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Mauritius
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Malaysia
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • North America
      • Canada
    • Oceania and Australasia
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
  • Travel
    • Accommodations
    • Travel For A Year
    • Things To Do
  • Food
  • Life & Wellness
    • For Bloggers
  • Year Of Travel
You are here: Home / Destinations / The Truth About Sukhothai Thailand

The Truth About Sukhothai Thailand

Pssst… this post may contain affiliate links. That means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to make a purchase. For details on what this means, read my disclaimer policy.

7 Apr
sitting down to admire temples in sukhothai thailand

Sukhothai Thailand… I finally made it to this UNESCO park!

I’ve had a wanderlust for Sukhothai since the days of when I travelled around Asia for six weeks. I met some awesome girls during that trip who continued their journey by visiting all of Thailand. While I was back in Canada getting settled in Toronto, they were off and about visiting hard to reach places in Thailand like Sukhothai! Every day, I’d log onto Facebook to follow their journeys. One girl happened to be a photographer and she posted gorgeous photos of the Sukhothai temples.

historical sites in sukhothai thailand

How can you not develop wanderlust for Sukhothai?

Her photos ignited a wanderlust in me, and I was determined that I will someday come back to visit the rest of this beautiful country.

It was my third visit to Thailand during my second month of full time travelling where I finally had the chance to visit this beautiful UNESCO heritage park!

It is thanks to my travel buddies that I even heard of Sukhothai! I mean, think about it – have you heard of Sukhothai before this blog post?

The honest truth about Sukhothai is that it is Thailand’s hidden gem and it should be on your bucket list! Sukhothai is one of the most beautiful cities in Thailand, and yet something like less than 5,000 visitors make it to Sukhothai in any given year.

Wat Si Chuang is what brought me to Sukhothai Thailand

Wat Si Chuang in Sukhothai Thailand

Wat Si Chuang

This temple is as breathtaking as it is beautiful. The chamber is tiny, and every sound is magnified. Every so often, a bird would fly in and flap its wings, making it sound so dramatic.

Buddha inside Wat Si Chuang in Sukhothai Thailand

The Buddha inside of the chamber. I could not be more grateful for this experience

Trees outside of Wat Si Chuan in Sukhothai Thailand

Standing outside of Wat Si Chuan. I wonder how old is that tree?

A lovely bike ride around Sukhothai Thailand

bicycle in sukhothai thailand

My ride in Sukhothai

Sukhothai is best explored by bike. Traffic isn’t crazy, so you don’t have to worry about fighting with cars for some road space. Once inside the park, you’ll find that the roads and paths are well paved and clean.

Having Sukhothai Historical Park all to ourselves

temple hopping in sukhothai thailand

There was not a soul around us… except for a sleeping dog

temple hopping in sukhothai thailand

See? No one is around us!

While the park is not as large as Ayutthaya, it’s still quite a distance to get around the different temples. Because this UNESCO heritage park receives very few visitors, we had the park to ourselves during most of our visits. We also never worried about touts trying to sell us tours, massages or overpriced food because it is not a touristy city at all.

Sukhothai Historical Park is very well maintained compared to Ayutthaya

elephant sculptures in sukhothai thailand

So much greenery in Sukhothai

The Sukhothai Historical Park itself is beautiful and well kept. There are ponds and lots of greenery throughout the park. Sukhothai Historical Park is cleaner and better maintained than Ayutthaya.

Sukhothai Thailand is hot year round

temple hopping in hot weather, sukhothai thailand

Yup, I walked around with an umbrella in Sukhothai because it was that hot

Like Ayutthaya, Sukhothai is hot throughout the day. We took our time and took lots of breaks in the shade and would only walk out when the sun was hiding behind the clouds.

There was one day where it rained like a madman in Sukhothai. Thank goodness for slow travel though – we decided to stay in at our hotel that day instead.

What is the best time to visit Sukhothai Thailand?

Hard to say because it’s hot all year round. We went in September during the rainy season and managed to plan things day by day. We’d try to go sightseeing when the rain would stop and come back before the next downpour. Exploring the temples weren’t so bad even with the crazy rainfall.

September is when rain happens the most in Sukhothai. It rained pretty much every day when we were here. The rain was so loud that I could barely hear my music when sitting in the hotel room. But the rain comes in bursts – it will rain hard for a few hours and then suddenly stop.

The dog situation in Sukhothai Thailand

temple dog in sukhothai thailand

Dogs blend in with the temples

Remember how scared we were about dogs? Well, it wasn’t so bad in Sukhothai. Most dogs usually left us alone, although one dog walked up to us, got very curious and licked G’s leg. They must know we aren’t from around here.

You’ll see a few dogs every 50 meters or so. Most of them just look at you and go back to napping. None of the dogs barked at us or chased us, unlike those damn dogs in Ayutthaya or Chiang Mai (You can read more about my Asia dog encounters here).

The local market in Sukhothai Thailand

local market in Sukhothai in sukhothai thailand

The local market in Sukhothai

The market in Sukhothai reminded me of the days when my aunt used to take me to the market to buy food in Vietnam. The only downside is that the meat smells a bit rotten and I did see some rotten looking meat in this market.

Met a friend in Sukhothai Thailand!

It was in Sukhothai where we met a friendly Australian during dinner one night. We’ve kept in touch and met up with him for lunch in Australia during our seventh month of travelling!

Honestly, guys, if you are hit with wanderlust by my travels, you should hear this man’s stories. He’s sailed for years and travelled for over two years at a time! Incredible!

English is hard to get around in Sukhothai Thailand

Of all the cities we visited in Thailand, we found that English was hard to get by in Sukhothai. For example, the hotel manager couldn’t speak English, and most restaurants didn’t speak much English.

Restaurant options are limited in Sukhothai Thailand

But we still managed to try some yummy dishes. You definitely need to try Sukhothai noodles while in the city – it’s the only place in Thailand where you can eat this type of noodle soup.

sukhothai noodles in sukhothai thailand

We made sure to eat Sukhothai noodles. You can’t find this dish anywhere else in Thailand

khao soi dish in sukhothai thailand

And of course, khao soi

Blueberry smoothie in Sukhothai Thailand

This blueberry smoothie was pretty good!

Tips for visiting Sukhothai Thailand

temple sights in sukhothai thailand

Definitely one of my favourite cities in Thailand

  • Plan for lots of water breaks – it’s sweltering hot. Like you’ll want to stop in-every-shade-you-pass-by hot
  • Bring lots of water; vendors are few and far in some regions of the park. My throat was hurting so much despite drinking lots of water because it was that hot. I was super dehydrated and would start to black out for a few seconds each time I stood up
  • Bring an umbrella to create your own shade
  • Visit the temples before 11 am or after 4 pm to avoid the heat
  • Dogs are everywhere, sometimes in packs
  • Eat ice cream to cool yourself down
  • Some temples have toilets, but they are few and rare. Plan your toilet breaks wisely
  • There are different entry fees for different zones in the Sukhothai Historical Park. Some cost 100 baht while others might charge more
  • There aren’t a lot of restaurants in Sukhothai

Read Next: Chiang Mai, Our Next Destination!

PIN FOR LATER

The Truth About The Breathtaking Sukhothai Thailand | Click to read about the truth about this city which you should visit during your Asia travel or Thailand honeymoon. Sukhothai should be on anyone's top 10 itinerary if you want culture travel or planning your southeast asia travel. Sukhothai is ideal for your Asia travel destinations. Sukhothai also have Wat Si Chum, the beautiful Sukhothai Buddha in the Sukhothai historical park. Sukhothai temples are a photographer's dream #enSquaredAired

Related posts:

Life on the Road - Highlights of the Second Month | Here is the second month’s recap of our year of slow travels where we visited beautiful Thailand. We explored Phuket, Ao Nang, Railey beach, Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Chiang Mai. Read more about our learnings and adventures. This post will give you wanderlust and ideas about exciting things to do on your next adventure!This Is What Nomad Living Is Like In Amazing Thailand Our next trip, Ayutthaya to SukhothaiWhy This Is The Best Route from Ayutthaya To Sukhothai Sukhothai Hotel De'PealWhy This Sukhothai Hotel Is The Best Choice For Budget Travel In sukhothai before heading to chiang mai by trainWhy This Is The Best Route From Sukhothai To Chiang Mai You Will Love Zabb E Lee’s Terrific Chiang Mai Cooking Class | Are you visiting Chiang Mai in Thailand are you're interested in joining a cooking school? Try Zabb E Lee's cooking class, where you'll learn new cooking skills that you can take home with youYou Will Love Zabb E Lee’s Terrific Chiang Mai Cooking Class The L Resort Krabi, A Great Stay In Ao Nang | Read about our stay and everything you need to know about the sleek and modern The L Resort Krabi in Ao Nang. Located right in front of the beach, this resort is at the doorstep of all the great things Ao Nang has to offerThe L Resort Krabi, A Great Stay In Ao Nang What To Expect On The Famous Phuket James Bond Island Tour | There are tons of things to do in Phuket, especially excursions from the area. If you’re trying to plan how to get from one place to the next during your vacation or honeymoon, you will want to read this post on your travel options! #travel #destinations #thailand #jamesbondisland #phuket #slowtravel #wanderlustUltimate Guide | World Famous James Bond Island Tour in Thailand Why The Train Is The Best Way To Get From Bangkok To Ayutthaya | There are tons of things to do in Ayutthaya and Bangkok. If you’re trying to plan how to get from one place to the next during your vacation or honeymoon, you will want to read this post on your travel options in Thailand and what Thailand train travel looks like! Culture travel #travel #nomad #lifestyle #destinations #thailand #bangkok #ayutthaya #slowtravel #wanderlust #longtermtravelWhat is the best way to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya?

Archive Filed Under: Destinations, Travel Tagged With: Sukhothai, Thailand

About Nancy

Hi, I’m Nancy! I am obsessed with self-awareness, food, semi-minimalism, stories, budgets, & adventures around the world. Read more here.

Previous Post: « Why This Sukhothai Hotel Is The Best Choice For Budget Travel
Next Post: Long Term Travel | Here Is What Living In Chiang Mai Thailand Is Like »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mathew says

    August 22, 2019 at 10:54 am

    Hi,

    Thanks to google for suggesting your page while checking for the mode transportation available between Sukhothai and Chiang Mai. Just read two of your stories and just loved the way you have narrated it. The pictures are soothing and truly wowsome! I have three quick questions! 🙂

    1. How much time did you spend in Sukhothai?
    2. Any idea about bus timing from Sukhothai to Chiang Mai? (I know you guys used train!)
    3. Which camera are you using ? 🙂

    Thank you in advance!

    Cheers….
    Mathew

    • Nancy says

      August 23, 2019 at 11:21 am

      Hi Matthew! Thanks for your kind comment! It really motivates me to blog more often 🙂 To answer your questions:

        I was there for four days and three nights
        Bus is usually a 5-6 hour ride and definitely easier way to travel between Sukhothai to Chiang Mai as it’s direct. We chose bus/train because I feel more comfortable on the train versus the bus
        We used the Sony Alpha 6300 and Sony alpha 6000 🙂

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to enSquaredAired

Hi! I am obsessed with self-awareness, food, semi-minimalism, stories, budgets, & adventures around the world.

enSquaredAired is a travel and lifestyle blog where you can learn practical tips that will optimize your time and save you money. Read More Here

Let’s connect!

ensquaredaired on instagram ensquaredaired on facebook ensquaredaired on twitter ensquaredaired on youtube ensquaredaired on RSS feed
nancy@enSquaredAired.com

SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES

Related posts:

Life on the Road - Highlights of the Second Month | Here is the second month’s recap of our year of slow travels where we visited beautiful Thailand. We explored Phuket, Ao Nang, Railey beach, Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Chiang Mai. Read more about our learnings and adventures. This post will give you wanderlust and ideas about exciting things to do on your next adventure!This Is What Nomad Living Is Like In Amazing Thailand Our next trip, Ayutthaya to SukhothaiWhy This Is The Best Route from Ayutthaya To Sukhothai Sukhothai Hotel De'PealWhy This Sukhothai Hotel Is The Best Choice For Budget Travel In sukhothai before heading to chiang mai by trainWhy This Is The Best Route From Sukhothai To Chiang Mai You Will Love Zabb E Lee’s Terrific Chiang Mai Cooking Class | Are you visiting Chiang Mai in Thailand are you're interested in joining a cooking school? Try Zabb E Lee's cooking class, where you'll learn new cooking skills that you can take home with youYou Will Love Zabb E Lee’s Terrific Chiang Mai Cooking Class The L Resort Krabi, A Great Stay In Ao Nang | Read about our stay and everything you need to know about the sleek and modern The L Resort Krabi in Ao Nang. Located right in front of the beach, this resort is at the doorstep of all the great things Ao Nang has to offerThe L Resort Krabi, A Great Stay In Ao Nang What To Expect On The Famous Phuket James Bond Island Tour | There are tons of things to do in Phuket, especially excursions from the area. If you’re trying to plan how to get from one place to the next during your vacation or honeymoon, you will want to read this post on your travel options! #travel #destinations #thailand #jamesbondisland #phuket #slowtravel #wanderlustUltimate Guide | World Famous James Bond Island Tour in Thailand Why The Train Is The Best Way To Get From Bangkok To Ayutthaya | There are tons of things to do in Ayutthaya and Bangkok. If you’re trying to plan how to get from one place to the next during your vacation or honeymoon, you will want to read this post on your travel options in Thailand and what Thailand train travel looks like! Culture travel #travel #nomad #lifestyle #destinations #thailand #bangkok #ayutthaya #slowtravel #wanderlust #longtermtravelWhat is the best way to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya?

Recent Posts

  • A Hospitable Stay At The Aloft Taipei Beitou
  • 13 Really Fun Things To Do In Odaiba Tokyo
  • How to Use the New and Improved Features of Tailwind for Instagram
  • Everything You Need To Know About Booking Phuket Tours
  • Ultimate Guide | World Famous James Bond Island Tour in Thailand
  • A Great Trek On The Beautiful Campuhan Ridge Walk In Bali
  • Ultimate Guide To Climbing The Batu Cave Steps In Malaysia
  • How Matt’s Flights Can Help You Find Cheap Plane Tickets
  • How To Travel From Chiang Mai To White Temple
  • Wat Rong Khun White Temple In Chiang Rai | Everything You Need To Know

© 2025 ensquaredaired. Unless specified, all photographs and content published on this blog are created by enSquaredAired & Co. Please ask for permission, give full credit, and link back to this site if you wish to share or use any content or photographs

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy