A Complete Travel Guide to Si Satchanalai, Thailand - Things to Do, How to Get Around, and More

A Complete Travel Guide to Si Satchanalai, Thailand

Things to Do, How to Get Around, and More
A photo of Pete R.
By Pete R.,
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Si Satchanalai, founded in 1250, is the twin ancient city to Sukhothai with a ton of old ruins and temples of its caliber, all waiting for you to explore. It is located 55km north of Sukhothai and can make a great day trip from there if you are looking to explore the surrounding area of Sukhothai province in Thailand.

Within this backpacking guide, you will find all the information you need to get to Si Satchanalai Historical Park from Sukhothai Old Town, as well as a comprehensive list of things you can do there. Without further ado, let's begin with an overview of the itinerary.

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Si Satchanalai Itinerary Map

Si Satchanalai Itinerary Map

7 Best Things to Do in Si Satchanalai

1. Explore Wat Phra Sri

Wat Phra Sri at Si Satchanalai in Thailand from a drone.

One of the first attractions you will encounter in Si Satchanalai is Wat Phra Sri, one of the oldest temples in the area that is still active today. Wat Phra Si, or Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat in full, was built in the 13th Century when the area was under the control of the Khmer Empire, as can be evidenced by the Prang architectural style of the temple.

Wat Phra Sri and Phra That Mutao in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

Just like the one in Angkor Wat, you can climb up to the top of the Prang and view the surrounding area from above. There are also several old ruins worth checking out, like Phra That Mutao, the remains of an old large pagoda which is believed to be of Mon origin.

Me standing in front of Viharn Phra Song Phi Nong in Si Satchanalai, Thailand.

There is also the remainder of an old assembly hall to the west called Viharn Phra Song Phi Nong, which translates to the temple of two brothers, referring to the Buddha images inside.

Planning to visit soon?
🛌 Booking hotels: Booking.com, Agoda, and Hostelworld.
  1. Old City Guest House (Budget)
  2. OldTown Boutique House Sukhothai (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
  3. Tharaburi Resort (High-End)
🏄 Booking tours: Viator, GetYourGuide, and Klook.
  1. Full Day Cycling tour to Sukhothai Historical Park (7 hours)
  2. Full Day Sukhothai Historical Park Tour (10 hours)
  3. 1 Day Sukhothai Historical Park from Chiang Mai Private Tour (12 hours)
🚘 Renting a car: Discover Cars.
🏥 Travel Insurance: Heymondo.

The Yom River Suspension bridge in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

From where the bus drops you off, you will have to walk through a village and cross the Yom River on a Yom Suspension Bridge before you arrive at Wat Phra Sri. There are toilets and restaurants here where you can prepare yourself before continuing your journey west towards the actual Si Satchanalai Historical Park.

2. Stop by Wat Khok Singkharam Before Entering Si Satchanalai

Wat Khok Singkharam and its sign in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

From Wat Phra Sri, you will have to cycle for about 20 minutes to get to Si Satchanalai Historical Park. The ride is really nice on a flat road, going through small villages where you will be able to see how the locals live in the area. This is as authentic as it gets.

The pagodas of Wat Khok Singkharam in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

On your way to the historical park, you will find many ruins along the side of the main road that you can check out. One of the best ones is Wat Khok Singkharam, a well-preserved temple with 3 pagodas as well as the remains of an old assembly hall.

The exterior of Wat Khok Singkharam in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

The temple is mostly under the shade, so if you are looking to take a break from the brutal heat of the Thai sun, Wat Khok Singkharam makes a great pit stop before continuing toward Si Satchanalai Park.

3. Admire the Still Intact Wall Carvings at Wat Nang Phaya

Si Satchanalai Historical Park sign in Thailand.

After Wat Khok Singkaram, it is only a 5-minute ride until you arrive at the entrance of Si Satchanalai Historical Park. There, you can proceed with your bike, pay the entrance fee of 100 THB, and start exploring the park.

The exterior of Wat Nang Phaya in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

One of the first temples you will encounter inside the park is Wat Nang Phaya, which was built in the 15th century during the early Ayutthaya reign of the area.

The Ayutthayan-style stucco reliefs at Wat Nang Phaya in Si Satchanalai, Thailand.

The highlight of visiting Wat Nang Phaya is to see the still-standing Ayutthayan-style stucco reliefs on the side of the temple's wall. The amount of detail preserved here is staggering and something that is not as easy to find on a temple this old.

The interior of Wat Nang Phaya in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

Within the temple wall, you will also find the well-preserved bell-shaped Sri Lankan Singhalese-style pagoda and the assembly hall, which show how Sri Lanka and Siam influenced each other over the years.

Tours & Tickets You Might Like

If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:

  1. Full Day Cycling tour to Sukhothai Historical Park (7 hours)
  2. Full Day Sukhothai Historical Park Tour (10 hours)
  3. 1 Day Sukhothai Historical Park from Chiang Mai Private Tour (12 hours)

4. Walk Around Wat Chedi Chet Thaew

The exterior of Wat Chedi Chet Thaew in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

Just northwest of Wat Nang Phaya, you will find another impressive large temple complex with a ton of well-preserved pagodas called Wat Chedi Chet Thaew, translating to The Temple of Seven Rows of Pagodas.

The subordinate pagodas at Wat Chedi Chet Thaew in Si Satchanalai, Thailand.

Wat Chedi Chet Taew was built in the first half of the 14th century during the Sukhothai reign of the area. The temple comprises one large pagoda at the center, an assembly hall, and 32 subordinate pagodas, giving the temple its name.

The large main pagoda of Wat Chedi Chet Thaew at Si Satchanalai, Thailand.

One of the main highlights of this temple is the main large pagoda, which maintains its Sukhothai-style lotus bud exterior, resembling those found at Sukhothai Historical Park, such as Wat Maha That.

5. Visit Wat Chang Lom

Wat Chang Lom from the outside in Si Satchanalai, Thailand.

This is probably one of my favorite temples inside Si Satchanalai Historical Park. Wat Chang Lom, which is translated to "Temple Surrounded by Elephants", is located deeper inside the park, northwest of Wat Chedi Chet Thaew. It was built in the 14th Century during the Sukhothai reign.

The elephants statues of Wat Chang Lom in Si Satchanalai, Thailand.

Why do they call it the Temple Surrounded by Elephants? Well, as you guessed it, with most of the ruins in Thailand from this era, the original names of the temples are usually lost in time. So, since the prominent feature of Wat Chang Lom is the number of elephant statues surrounding its base, they decided to name it Wat Chang Lom.

The entrance of Wat Chang Lom in Si Satchanalai, Thailand.

Located in an empty plain, you can see the prominent Singhalese-style pagoda and its impressive elephant statues encircling it all the way from Wat Chedi Chet Taew. There are around 39 large elephant sculptures, with 4 large ones at the corner, 8 on one side, and nine on all the others.

The buddha statues surrounding Wat Chang Lom upper level in Si Satchanalai, Thailand.

The reason why you see elephant statues a lot in Buddhist temples is that the elephant in Buddhism is a symbol of mental strength that protects the quality of Buddhism. Hence, you often see them outside of the temple, protecting it.

6. Drop By Wat Suan Keao Utthayan Noi

The exterior of Wat Suan Keao Utthayan Noi in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

This may be a small temple, but I think the unique architectural style of Wat Suan Keao Utthayan Noi and its proximity to Wat Chang Lom make it worthwhile to check out.

The mondop of Wat Suan Keao Utthayan Noi in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

The temple comprises a slender lotus-bud spire stupa that looks fairly similar to the large one at Wat Chedi Chet Thaew, and a mondop in front. The exterior of the temple is well-preserved and worth a look around, but unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the Buddha image inside the mondop.

7. Hike Up to Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng

The exterior of Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

Last but not least, Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng is a temple located on the north side of Si Satchanalai Historical Park. It is situated on top of a hill surrounded by forest, offering a view overlooking the historical park.

The steps leading up to Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng in Si Satchanalai, Thailand

The temple itself is nothing to brag about, but with the effort required to climb and the view it provides, I think it is worth every drop of sweat to get there. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes to reach the top by walking up the 144 steps.

The bike path inside Si Satchanalai, Thailand.

Wat Khao Phanom Phleong, which translates to the Holy Fire Mountain Temple, has its roots from a story found in the chronicles. A hermit told a local chief that this hill was to be used for fire ceremonies, hence where it got its name.

The road inside Wat Phra Sri toward Si Satchanalai Historical Park in Thailand.

Now that we have seen all the attractions inside Si Satchanalai, make sure that you leave some spare time to ride back to where the bus dropped you off (20 - 30 minutes) before 3 PM, as 3 PM is the last bus you will find heading back to Sukhothai.

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When to Visit Si Satchanalai?

A bird's eye view of Wat Phra Sri in Si Satchanalai, Thailand from a drone

The best time to visit Si Satchanalai is from November to January, when the weather is cooler and less humid due to Thailand's northern climate, making it much more enjoyable to cycle around Si Satchanalai Historical Park.

That said, Thailand has suffered a lot from air pollution in recent years due to the burning season, and it is extremely prevalent during Thailand's winter period (December - January). So, even though the weather is cooler, your visibility might not be the best. Be sure to buy a face mask if you decide to visit Thailand during this time.

March - April are the hottest and most humid periods of the year. So, if you can't handle heat very well, avoid visiting during this time. The air quality may be a bit better, but it's not guaranteed.

All the other months are considered to be the rainy season, which, even though the weather is a little more manageable than the summer months, you will also be seeing a lot more rain that might prevent you from enjoying the outdoors. Air quality during this time should be better due to the rain.

As you can see, the best time to visit Thailand used to be during its wintertime, BUT now that the air quality is getting worse and worse, you will have to decide which is more important to you as a traveler: good weather but bad air quality or vice versa.

The Best Time To Visit ThailandThe Best Time To Visit Thailand

How to Get to Si Satchanalai, Thailand?

Getting to Bangkok, Thailand

Houses in Sukhothai Old City in Thailand

In order to get to Si Satchanalai, first, you will have to get to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Thankfully, Bangkok is a large hub in the region, so you should have no trouble finding a flight from your home country to Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Muang International Airport (budget airlines only) in Thailand.

From the US, unfortunately, there are no longer direct flights offered from Bangkok to the US via Thai Airways due to operational costs. However, you can get a cheaper and possibly better service through Emirates, Qatar, or Turkish Airlines from the East Coast, or ANA Airlines or Korean Air from the West Coast, with only one transit.

From Europe, you can fly directly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Thai Airways or local carriers such as British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa. If you don't mind transiting, you can also choose Etihad, Qatar, or Emirates.

From within Asia, there are several low-cost airlines offering various routes from many hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Jakarta to Bangkok that you can choose from. AirAsia and Thai Lion Air are great low-cost options, but keep in mind that with budget airlines like these, you will be landing at Don Muang Airport instead of Suvarnabhumi Airport. This might be more ideal than flying with a regular carrier if you plan to fly domestically afterward.

To find a cheap flight to Bangkok, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok

Getting from Bangkok to Sukhothai, Thailand

The bus terminal in Sukhothai New Town in Thailand

Since we will be staying in Sukhothai and doing Si Satchanalai as a day trip from there, you will have to get from Bangkok to Sukhothai Old Town first. Here are a few options you have:

By Air + Shuttle Bus: There are several ways you can go to get from Bangkok to Sukhothai. The fastest way and not too expensive is to buy a flight ticket from Bangkok to Sukhothai via AirAsia where the flight will take you from Don Muang Airport to Phitsanulok Airport, and AirAsia will provide you with a shuttle bus transfer to Sukhothai, all included in the price. It should cost about 800 - 1400 THB and takes 1 hour to fly from Bangkok to Phitsanulok and 2.5 hours to transfer to Sukhothai Historical Park by bus.

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By Bus: You can take one of the four direct buses that leave daily at 7:00, 12:30, 20:00, and 21:30 from Morchit Bus Terminal to Sukhothai Bus Terminal, which should take about 8 hours and cost around 400 THB per person.

Keep in mind that the bus will drop you off at Sukhothai Bus Terminal, which is in the new town, and you will have to find another means of transportation to get to the historical park. Check out the next section on how to get from Sukhothai New Town to Sukhothai Old Town.

To get a bus from Bangkok to Sukhothai New City, you can book through here: Book a bus from Bangkok to Sukhothai, Thailand.

Getting from Sukhothai to Si Satchanalai, Thailand

All the chedis at Si Satchanalai in Thailand.

To get from Sukhothai Old Town to Si Satchanalai Historical Park, you will have to get to Sukhothai Bus Terminal, which is a one-hour Song Taew ride away. So, I would recommend you start as early as you can. You can catch the Song Taew from the main road in the old town or in front of the historical park.

The bus from Sukhothai to Si Satchanalai does not have a fixed schedule, unfortunately, and it often shuffles around all the time. Hence, I recommend you come to the bus terminal as early as you can so you have some breathing room on which bus to take.

They told me that private companies operate the buses on this route, so that is why the schedule depends on the demand each day. Do not worry, though, because if you go to the Sukhothai Bus Terminal at 9:30 AM, there should be plenty of options available for you. The key is to be there as early as you can.

When I was at Sukhothai Bus Terminal in late December, I was told that there were 5 buses that day at 9:00, 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 17:00. So, I got on the 10:00 bus and asked the bus driver to drop me off at the bus stop near Wat Phra Sri.

The journey will take about 1.5 hours one-way, and it will cost you 49 THB for the bus ticket from Sukhothai Bus Terminal to Si Satchanalai. The same goes for when you get back to Sukhothai.

The bike rental place where the bus will drop you off at Si Satchanalai in Thailand.

From the bus stop, you can rent the bike right on the spot as there will be a guy with his bikes waiting for you. It's 50 THB for a day, and he will also provide you with the bus schedule back to Sukhothai. When I was there, he told me to come back before 15:00 as there are 3 buses bound for Sukhothai at 12:00, 14:00, and 15:00.

The entrance to Wat Phra Sri at Si Satchanalai in Thailand.

Keep in mind that the bus is often late, so do not expect it to be right on time. I caught a 14:00 bus back to Sukhothai at 14:40, so keep that in mind when you are out and about.

How to Get Around Si Satchanalai?

A bike I rode to explore kamphaeng Phet in Thailand.

As mentioned earlier, the moment the bus drops you off at the entrance of Wat Phra Sri on the other side of the river, you will be met with a guy whom you can rent his bike for 50 THB for the day. He will also tell you when the bus back to Sukhothai will arrive, so be sure to keep a note of that.

With the bike, you will be able to easily visit all the temples and ruins I listed here and leave enough time for you to enjoy the place before heading back to catch the last bus back to Sukhothai.

Wat Phra Sri, where the bus dropped you off, and Si Satchanalai Historical Park are pretty far from each other. Once you are inside the park, the temples are so scattered that I would not recommend trying to reach these places on foot, especially since you will only have around 4 hours there.

How Many Days to Spend in Si Satchanalai?

Yom River in Si Satchanalai in Thailand.

Making a one-day trip from Sukhothai to Si Satchanalai is more than enough to see all the ruins and temples in the historical park. I wouldn't recommend staying overnight in Si Satchanalai if you are planning to be in Sukhothai anyway, as you will likely save more time staying in one place than moving around.

Day 1: Take the Song Taew from Sukhothai Old Town to Sukhothai Bus Terminal at 7:30 AM. Take the 9 AM bus from Sukhothai Bus Terminal to Si Satchanalai. Arrive at Si Satchanalai at 10:30 AM and explore Wat Phra Sri and Si Satchanalai Historical Park until 2:30 PM before heading back to catch the last bus at 3 PM back to Sukhothai.

How Much Money Do I Need For Si Satchanalai?

From the itinerary above, we can roughly calculate how much money you will be spending for a one-day itinerary in Si Satchanalai as follows:

Accommodation: With a total of 2 nights in Sukhothai, you will be paying around 16 USD (509 THB).

Food: Food costs about 40 THB minimum per meal per person at Wat Phra Sri. You can rely on 7-11 for breakfast and back in Sukhothai for dinner. You can expect to pay about 150 THB for a day in Si Satchanalai.

Transportation: You will pay 50 THB for a bike rental in Si Satchanalai and 60 THB for 2 trips between Sukhothai Old and the Bus Terminal on a Song Taew. You will also have to pay for a bus from Sukhothai to Si Satchanalai and back, which should be around 100 THB. In total, you can expect to pay 210 THB for transportation.

Activities: The entrance fee for Si Satchanalai Historical Park is 100 THB per person (20 THB for Thais) and that's it.

Total Budget for 1 day in Si Satchanalai: 969 THB (30.7 USD)

Is it Safe in Si Satchanalai, Thailand?

Like most lesser-traveled places in Thailand, it is very safe, and you will likely not meet any undesirable scammers that you often encounter at other crowded places.

That said, always watch out for taxi drivers at any bus terminal in Thailand who claim that the only way to get to Sukhothai Old Town is via taxi. There is a Song Taew you can take, which will save you a ton of money.

Also, please exercise precautions as you would when traveling in any foreign country, as usual. Do not leave your things unattended and watch out for your belongings at all times.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Si Satchanalai?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Sukhothai, Thailand without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Sukhothai, Thailand:

There are 3 major carriers in Thailand: AIS, DTAC, and True. All of them offer a pretty similar range of traveler's packages as well as coverage. Personally, I use AIS as I have been with them since my first phone. They have a lot of Support Centers around Thailand, and their coverage hasn't failed me yet. So, if you are looking for a reliable carrier, I can recommend AIS.

There are 3 packages for tourists: 5 GB for 5 days at 160 THB, 15 GB for 8 days at 299 THB, and 30 GB for 15 days. Depending on the length of your trip to Thailand, you can choose one of these 3 packages that best suits your itinerary.

With these three packages, you can top up more in case you need additional data or calls for your trip. More often than not, 5 GB is more than enough for me to travel around Thailand for a month.

For more information about Thailand's local SIM card: Thailand's Prepaid Data SIM Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Si Satchanalai, Thailand?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Sukhothai, Thailand:

  • Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
  • Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
  • Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
  • Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
  • Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
  • Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Sukhothai, Thailand in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
  • Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
  • Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
  • Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
  • Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
  • Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
  • Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
  • Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

What to Pack For Thailand: The Essential Packing ListWhat to Pack For Thailand: The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for Northern Thailand

Looking for more information for your trip to Northern Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Thailand that you might find useful:

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Categories DestinationsAsiaSoutheast AsiaThailandNorthern Thailand

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