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Everything You Need to Know about Si Satchanalai Historical Park

| Last Updated: October 2024

Si Satchanalai Historical Park is an underrated gateway to the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom. It’s a vast treasure trove offering a blend of timeworn Buddhist temples, diverse post-classical architectural styles, and a relaxing natural atmosphere.

Top of the list of ruins in the park is the famous ancient temple of Wat Phra Si Mahathat. Also, the park has street food vendors, rental bicycles, and guided tram tours, so it ticks the essential boxes for a desirable tourist attraction you can enjoy.

With numerous historical sites, Si Satchanalai Historical Park is an unmissable gem for history buffs. The 45.14-square-kilometer Ayuthaya grounds have something for everyone with its immense countryside space of lush green grass dotted by ruins.

Things to Know

Contact: +66 55 950 714
Operating Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Admission Costs: 100 baht
Website

Where is Si Satchanalai Historical Park?

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Image Source: Google Maps

Si Satchanalai Historical Park is in Si Satchanalai’s north end. It’s bounded by the Yom River and Highway 1201 from the east, west, and south.

How to Get to Si Satchanalai Historical Park

Plane: The best way to get to Si Satchanalai Historical Park from Bangkok is to book a direct flight to Sukhothai Airport. This only takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes and you can simply ride an airport taxi to the historical park afterward.

Si Satchanalai Historical Park is only a 31-minute drive from the airport, so expect a total travel duration of around 2 to 3 hours.

Bus: A cheaper option is to board a bus from Bangkok Mochit Bus Terminal to Uttaradit Town. However, the bus ride takes 6 to 7 hours and you still need to catch a taxi from Uttaradit to Si Satchanalai Historical Park which should take about 30 minutes.

Train: If you don’t mind the longer travel time, boarding a train from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Uttaradit’s BanDara Junction is a solid alternative.

The train ride should take between 7 and 8 hours.

From there, you must catch a taxi to Si Satchanalai Historical Park for another 1-hour trip.

What to See and Do in Si Satchanalai Historical Park

Check out Wat Nang Phaya’s ancient wall carvings

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Wat Nang Phaya is one of the main temple ruins in Si Satchanalai Historical Park, and it’s worth checking out for its unique wall art. The 15th-century ruin boasts intricate Ayutthaya-style carvings on the stucco reliefs of its laterite-made wihan.

If you’re a serious history buff, these wall carvings are also some of the most well-preserved ancient art you can find from the Ayutthaya Period. But that’s not all because this temple also has a remarkable bell-shaped chedi.

It’s a Sinhalese-style architecture with an elongated spire and a high base support. An augmented-reality blueprint of this architecture is also available if you scan the QR codes placed around the temple.

Admire Wat Chang Lom’s bell-shaped chedi

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Wat Chang Lom is a main attraction in Si Satchanalai Historical Park known for its striking bell-shaped chedi. This 14th-century temple features a Sinhalese architectural style, so expect a pointed spire. 

It also has a high base support with 39 intricate elephant carvings, which are the temple’s most prominent feature.

You’ll also find remnants of sitting Buddha images inside the niches around the chedi’s upper base support—keep an eye out for this!

See Wat Chedi Chet Thaew’s cosmology-inspired chedi formation

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A trip to Si Satchanalai Historical Park wouldn’t be complete without visiting Wat Chedi Chet Thaew. It’s one of the park’s 3 main attractions because of its unique lotus-shaped main chedi, laterite-made wihan, and over 30 subordinate chedis.

The temple’s subordinate chedis are particularly famous for their diverse architectural styles, from Khmer to Sukhothai, Sinhalese, and Bagan. They’re also laid out in a special formation based on a cosmology-inspired pattern.

Rama V’s half-brother the late Prince Damrong Rajanubhab believed that the subordinate chedis also held the remains of the Sukhothai Kingdom’s royal family.

Hop on a rental bicycle or tram to fully explore the historical site

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The best way to explore Si Satchanalai Historical Park is to hop on a rental bicycle or pay for a guided tram ride. This place is over 4,500 hectares so it would take plenty of time to explore on foot, especially if you spend some time admiring the ruins.

Riding a bicycle is one of the more fun experiences you can get out of this historical site. If you’re with a small group, check out their 3-seater bikes!

For a more educational experience, you can ride the park’s guided tram instead. It can accommodate large groups and it includes a local tour guide who shares plenty of information about the numerous ruins.

Take postcard-perfect photos of all the ruins

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The best souvenirs you can get during your Si Satchanalai Historical Park trip are photos of its ruins. 

We also like the diversity this historical site offers, so expect numerous structures with Khmer, Lanna, Ayutthaya, and Lankan architectural styles—it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason! 

Aside from learning about Sukhothai’s history, expect to capture numerous stunning photos as well. In fact, this place has over 20 historical sites so you’ll have plenty of opportunities during your visit.

Watch the cultural show during the Songkran Water Festival

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To make the most of Si Satchanalai Historical Park, schedule your trip during the Songkran. During this time, the park will have plenty of local street food vendors, cultural performances and ceremonies. 

If you stay until dark, you can also see colorful fireworks painting the sky over the park!

Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Si Satchanalai Historical Park

Si Satchanalai Heritage

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Address: 99 Moo 6, Si Satchanalai District
Phone: +66 55 615 423
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food
Website

Si Satchanalai Heritage is a popular hotel and restaurant near Si Satchanalai Historical Park, so it’s definitely a must-try for tourists looking for good Thai food. It boasts a gorgeous riverside location, so expect a relaxing view from its open-air dining area.

The best-sellers here are mixed seafood salad and traditional Isan larb, perfect if you want a taste of classic northern Thai cuisine. They also have affordable local and imported beers!

Art Slowbar

Address: 96 Si Satchanalai District
Phone: +66 84 048 8595
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for art fans
Website

If you love coffee as much as you like art, Art Slowbar is an excellent option. This cafe is also an art gallery, so expect to see a wide range of wall paintings, handicrafts, and antique displays.

Their drink menu is nothing to scoff at either because they serve a good selection of coffees, teas, milk drinks, and Italian sodas. Our top pick is their honey lemon coffee, with the cappuccino as a close second.

Plus, this place is only 3 minutes from Si Satchanalai Historical Park, so you don’t have to travel far for your daily caffeine fix.

Chomprang House

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Address: 111, Ban Wang Yay Mak, 1, Tha Chai
Phone: +66 63 465 6168
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food, pastries
Website

Chomprang House is one of the more stunning restaurants in Tha Chai, and it’s definitely worth the 11-minute drive from Si Satchanalai Historical Park. Its elegant traditional Thai interior and relaxing garden view are also a massive plus!

They also have a unique window-side lounge dining area with a cutesy floor table and cushions. It’s separate from their main dining area so it’s great for guests who like a more private atmosphere.

If you’re on a budget, this is also the perfect place for affordable Thai noodle dishes and pastries. Oh, and the view of Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat Rajaworaviharn’s main chedi from their garden is also a plus.

Where to Shop in and Near Si Satchanalai Historical Park

Si Satchanalai Municipal Food Market

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Address: 7 Tha Chai Subdistrict, Si Satchanalai District
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Wednesday – Monday)
Good to know: Good for all-around shopping

Eight minutes away from the park is Si Satchanalai Municipal Food Market, which is arguably the best traditional market near Si Satchanalai Historical Park. 

There, you’ll find numerous local vendors selling clothes, handicrafts, Thai delicacies, and more. The prices are also local-friendly, so shopping here won’t burn a hole in your pocket. 

Plus, you can also haggle to lower the price further, especially on clothes and souvenirs.

Somsamai Gold

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Address: 343 1, Tha Chai, Si Satchanalai District
Phone: +66 55 679 095
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for jewelry shopping
Website

Somsamai Gold excels at handmade gold jewelry, perfect for serious Chrysophilist who prefer unique, high-quality pieces. These are made by local goldsmiths, so expect to get an intricate and distinctive piece that screams Sukhothai. 

You can also ask for made-to-order jewelry from their extensive catalog if you don’t like any of the ready-made ones they have.

However, the order process takes several days, so we only recommend this if you plan to stay at Si Satchanalai for at least a week.

Lotus’s Go Fresh Tha Chai 

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Address: 136, 28 Jarodvithi Thong, Mueang Sawankhalok
Phone: +66 62 605 8508
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24/7
Good to know: Good for groceries
Website

Lotus’s Go Fresh Tha Chai is always open, so it’s a reliable spot for groceries near the park. It’s a lifesaver if you’re short on supplies for your picnic escapade at the park!

Expect to find the usual grocery items, plus some electronics, with the kiosks inside selling smartphones and accessories. Plus, if you have a kid along, the place has some miniature rides you can rely on for entertainment.

Where to Stay in and Near Si Satchanalai Historical Park

Si Satchanalai Heritage

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Address: 99 Moo 6, Si Satchanalai District
Phone: +66 55 615 423
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 1 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for budget travelers
Website

If you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation near the historical park, Si Satchanalai Heritage is the place to go. It’s only a three-minute drive, so you have quick access to the park.

What stands out are their elegant Thai-style rooms with warm-toned rustic interiors and modern amenities. You also get a balcony and terrace with relaxing river and garden views!

If you want to beef up your Instagram feed, hang around the garden and look for numerous photo spots!

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Address: 238 Si Satchanalai District
Phone: +66 91 028 6516
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for budget travelers
Website

Navy Sisatchanalai is a popular budget hotel that’s a three-minute drive from Si Satchanalai Historical Park. It offers unpretentious rooms with minimalist industrial-style interiors and basic modern amenities.

This place is also known for its cozy on-site cafe which serves affordable coffees, teas, Italian sodas, smoothies, and more.

Leelawadee Si Satchanalai Resort

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Address: Moo 4, Tha Chai, Si Satchanalai District
Phone: +66 55 615 508
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Website

Leelawadee Si Satchanalai Resort is one of the more stylish resorts in Tha Chai, so it’s definitely worth the 9-minute drive from Si Satchanalai Historical Park. 

This place is known for its cozy and sizable rooms with cutesy modern interiors and all the essential amenities for a comfortable stay! There are also spacious suites with added living spaces, multiple beds, and a kitchenette.

It’s also tucked away in one of Tha Chai’s quieter neighborhoods, perfect if you want a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

FAQs about Si Satchanalai Historical Park

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