'''Phitsanulok''' (????????) is a historic city in Northern Thailand, about halfway between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. It is the provincial capital of Phitsanulok Province and has a population of around 80,000.

Understand

A regional commerce and transportation hub. Many travellers will at least pass through Phitsanulok on way to and from the North. Whilst the city itself is not the most exciting or prettiest place in the world, it can be useful for stocking up on supplies, and Phitsanulok is a great starting point for exploring the ancient Thai capital of Sukhothai. The local TAT office is at 209 Thanon Borom Trailokanat (08:30-16:30 daily).

Get in

By plane

Thai International Airways offers regular flights between Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai (40 minutes). Bus #4 runs to the airport, as do tuk-tuks for about 10-20 baht.

By train

There are several daily services north to Chiang Mai and south to Bangkok. Both take about 6-7 hours.

By bus

Extensive bus services connect Phitsanulok with Chiang Mai and Bangkok. As Phitsanulok is a major transportation hub, there are also regular services to the North-East. Phitsanulok is about 390 km from Bangkok. Buses take 5-6 hours for the journey. The return trip can take as long as 7 hours, depending on the Bangkok traffic). The bus to Chiang Mai takes 6 hours. The main bus station is northeast of the train station. From there buses leave for Chiang Mai, Tak (via Sukhothai), Khon Kaen and Bangkok.

Buses to Sukhothai leave across the road from the Topland Plaza Hotel. The trip takes one hour and costs around 25 to 40 baht. Sukhothai-bound buses are also available from the main bus station.

Get around

Public buses serve the town and there is no shortage of tuk-tuks and taxis. No. 1 bus serves the route between the central bus station and the train station in the town centre, and leaves from the short road leading from the highway to the bus station.

Decent motorcycles (Honda Wave, etc.) can be rented from the shop near the central bus station, at prices somewhat higher than the Chiang Mai standard (starting ~200 baht)

See

Phitsanulok is not well known to foreign tourists and thus has retained the charm of a typical larger Thai city. Unfortunately, most the older parts of the city were destroyed in a disastrous fire decades ago.

  • Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai): near Naresuan Bridge. This is the most important temple in Phitsanulok and is the home of the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat, one of the most revered Buddha figures in Thailand. The temple is host to a large fair every January.
  • The house-boats: once a symbol of Phitsanulok, only a few of these are left on the river and some now function as restaurants and cafes.
  • Buddah factory: Essentially a small open workshop, provides an intriguing insight into how Buddha statues are created. Free, but donations welcomed.
  • More sights can be suggested by the helpful Tourism Authority office at 209/7-8 Boromtrailokanat Road a few streets south of the train station (walking 5-7 minutes)
  • Do

    Visit the temples and stroll around a Thai city that is still unspoilt by the tourist traps of Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

    Eat

    Several markets offer the typical variety of food stall dishes. During the day check out the market just south of the train station, which turns into a popular night market scene in the early evening. Some of the best buys are gai yang (grilled chicken) and kweitiou pat Thai (Thai style fried noodles).

    The 'Night Bazaar' along the river offers lots of tourist type food options plus after dinner shopping with the usual night market items.

    Phitsanulok Mall- Standard chain restaurant fare. There is a Tesco-Lotus downstairs for self catering and other essentials.

    Drink

  • It's a Cake. In the same building as Lithai guest house, sells great cakes and had good sandwiches, pasta and Thai dishes. Also had internet access.

    Sleep

    Phitsanulok is not a tourist oriented city, and there is not a broad range of guesthouses. However, there are several good options at rates much lower than in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

    Budget

  • '''No.4 Guesthouse'''. A good option for budget travellers.
  • '''LiThai Guesthouse''', 73/1-5 Phayalithai Road (south of the train station), Tel: (055) 219 626-9 Fax: (055) 219 627 ext 500. Very clean, it has moderate prices starting at 200 baht (though the official rate reads 220 baht). 220 baht for a single fan room with en-suite bathroom. In-room WiFi costs extra.
  • '''LV Gardenhome'''. Very nice hotel - 2-storey with rooms surrounding central garden with water features. Bathroom, AC, TV and free WiFi in all rooms. Outside the city near Big-C. Bus (9 baht) and Sawngthaew (10 baht) during the day but no transport into the city in the evening; meaning you have little choice of what to do in the evenings as the place is quite remote. There are a few restaurants across the motorway open at night. Monthly rate 3500 baht is for a minimum of 3 months stay. http://www.lvgardenhome.150m.com/ .
  • Mid range

  • '''Grand Riverside hotel''', 59 Praroung Road, Amper Muang, Phitsanulok, Thailand 65000. Tel. +66 55 248333 , +66 55 216420, Fax +66 55 248 987. Rooms rates start at 2,000 baht. The hotel offers a free airport transfer. [http://www.tgrhotel.com/]
  • '''Topland Hotel & Convention Center''', 68/33 Ekathosarot Rd; tel. ''+66''-55247800. Part of the Topland Plaza shopping centre, this is one of the better hotels. Buses to Sukhothai leave from in front of the hotel. Rates start at 2,000 baht. It is well worth the money, though can be noisy at night as it contains a popular night-club. [http://www.toplandhotel.com/]
  • '''Amarin Lagoon Hotel''', 52/299 Praongkhao Rd., Muang, Phitsanulok 65000. Tel. +66 055-220-999, Fax +66 055-220-944. [http://www.amarinlagoonhotel.com/]
  • Get out

    Phitsanulok is a good stop-over from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (or vice versa).

  • Sukhothai is a good option for a day-trip.