Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok is a city on the Nan River in northern Thailand. People go for Wat Yai and its Buddha Chinnarat image, and for the city's role in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya history.

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Phitsanulok is a city in northern Thailand and the capital of Phitsanulok province, about 377 km north of Bangkok by road. It sits on flat plains beside the Nan River, which flows south to join the Chao Phraya. Under the Sukhothai Kingdom it became the royal seat in 1378, and King Naresuan the Great was born at Chan Palace. The main draw is Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, known as Wat Yai, which houses Phra Buddha Chinnarat, one of Thailand's most revered Buddha images and the official symbol of the province. The temple's 36-metre prang and mother-of-pearl doors, built in 1756, are also worth seeing.

Visitors come for temples, museums and river life in a working Thai city. Most of the old town was lost in a fire, so the history is found in a few sites and museums rather than continuous streets. Winters are dry and very warm, and temperatures stay very hot until April. The monsoon runs from May through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler days, though nights stay warm.

Phitsanulok in five

See Wat Yai in the cooler part of the dayWat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, known locally as Wat Yai, houses the revered Phra Phuttha Chinnarat Buddha image. Go in the morning, dress to cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes.
Use it as a gateway to SukhothaiBuses to Sukhothai take roughly an hour. Phitsanulok has the bigger bus and rail hub, so many travelers sleep here and visit the historical park the next day.Sukhothai travel guide
Choose rail or flight for the Bangkok legThe train runs along the northern line, the bus is faster in daylight and a small airport has domestic flights. Compare the timetable before booking, as services shift by season.Thailand transport planning
Stay near the river for the evening marketsThe riverside area has food stalls and floating restaurants in the evening. Business hotels near the station are cheaper but quiet after dark.
Travel in the cool seasonPhitsanulok is very hot from March to May. November to February is the comfortable window for temple visits and walking.Best time to visit Thailand

Things to do in Phitsanulok

See all attractions in Phitsanulok

a building with a lot of windows and stairs

Temple · PhitsanulokWat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat WoramahawihanThe temple gets busy at times, so come early in the day or in the evening.

Mosque · PhitsanulokMasjid Phitsanulok Pakistan

a group of people standing outside a building

Sight · PhitsanulokSergeant Major Thawee Folk Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to PhitsanulokPut the places you like in Phitsanulok on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Phitsanulok (PHS), a small airport with domestic flights
Getting there: Train or bus from Bangkok, about 5–7 hr; flights are shorter
Getting around: Tuk-tuks, songthaews, taxis and ride-hailing; walkable core
Best base: Near the river or station; Sukhothai for the ruins
Time needed: 1 night as a stop; 2 days with Sukhothai

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Cool mornings
FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh34°Low22°Dry, warm
MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh37°Low25°Hot
AprilClear8 rainy daysHigh37°Low27°Hottest
MayRain20 rainy daysHigh35°Low27°Rains begin
JuneRain25 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Rainy
JulyRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Rainy
AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Rainy, humid
SeptemberRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°Wettest
OctoberRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low23°Rains ease
NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Dry, cooler
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Cool, dry

Average daily high and low in Phitsanulok, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Phitsanulok

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 87%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 31%

Phitsanulok

03:37 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today32°25°31%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 31%.
Wed32°24°43%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 43%.
Thu32°24°63%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 63%.
Fri31°24°82%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 82%.
Sat30°24°69%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 69%.
Sun32°23°16%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 16%.

Updated 01:23 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB

Amount

Converted to

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Sukhothaiabout 1 hour by busRuined capital with temples and lotus ponds, best by bicycle.Read the guide
Phu Hin Rong Kla National Parkabout 2–3 hours by roadA forested plateau with a Cold War history and viewpoints.
Lampangabout 3–4 hours by roadA quieter northern town with horse carriages and old temples.Read the guide

Before you go to Phitsanulok

Hotels near the riverBusiness hotels and guesthousesCheck availability

Car hire for SukhothaiDrive to the ruins and Si SatchanalaiCompare car hire

eSIM for the lower northRide-hailing and rail times on landingRead the guide

Insurance for a rail-and-bus loopCovers delays and cancellationsRead the guide

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Rules for Phitsanulok, checked

Check Thailand entry rules and any digital arrival card on the Thai immigration website before you book.Source
Dial 191 for police and 199 for fire anywhere in Thailand.
Cover shoulders and knees and take off your shoes before entering the temple buildings at Wat Yai.
Do not touch or climb on Buddha images. Check export rules with the Thai Fine Arts Department before you buy an antique Buddha image.

Plan around Phitsanulok

All of Thailand

Entry rules, regions and costs

Read the guide Sukhothai

The ruined capital, an hour west

Read the guide Northern Thailand

Where Phitsanulok sits on the northern loop

Read the guide Plan transport in Thailand

Trains, buses, flights and boats

Read the guide Best time to visit Thailand

Cool season and rains by region

Read the guide Thailand entry rules

30-day stay and the arrival card

Read the guide

Phitsanulok FAQ

Is Phitsanulok worth visiting?

As a one-night stop, yes: Wat Yai and the river are pleasant and few visitors come. It is not a destination for a long stay, so most travelers combine it with Sukhothai or Northern Thailand.

How do you get from Phitsanulok to Sukhothai?

By bus in roughly an hour, or by hired car for more flexibility. Buses run frequently through the day, but check the last return before you commit to a late finish at the park.

Should I stay in Phitsanulok or Sukhothai?

Stay in Sukhothai if the ruins are the point, since cycling at sunrise is the best time. Stay in Phitsanulok if you arrive late by train, want more restaurants or have an early onward bus.

How many days do you need in Phitsanulok?

One night is enough for Wat Yai and the riverside. With Sukhothai, plan two days, and a third if you add Si Satchanalai or a national park.

What is Phitsanulok famous for?

The Phra Phuttha Chinnarat Buddha image at Wat Yai, a riverside food scene and its role as a transit hub. Its floating houses on the Nan are another well-known sight.