Phitsanulok

Travel guide

An ancient centre of Thai culture and politics built on the banks of the Nan River, Phitsanulok today is a busy, dynamic city and one of the larger of Thailand's provincial capitals. It's a friendly place and well worth including in a travel itinerary of the north.

Phitsanulok was a royal capital for 25 years during the Ayutthaya period. It was also the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great, who was born at the Wang Chan Palace.

There are only a few sights to see in the city itself, but it makes a good launching pad for the nearby national parks, with Phu Hin Rong Kla in particular worth visiting. In the capital city, most of the hotels and historic sites are in the downtown area, to the east of the Nan River.

Phitsanulok is also a transportation hub, providing easy access to anywhere in north, central, northeast and east Thailand. The city is 377 km north of Bangkok and its population is around 85,000.

If you're headed to Sukhothai and arriving by train, it is a simple transition to the bus station from where there are buses throughout the day to Sukhothai. If you've got time though, Phitsanulok is worth at least an overnight stay.

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Bansuanvichitra Resort
149 Mhoo 4 Singhawat Road Bann Klong Phitsanulok Prince
From: US$20.13 with HostelWorld

La Paloma Hotel
Phitsanulok
From: US$21.00 with Sawasdee

Amarin Nakorn Hotel
Phitsanulok
From: US$21.00 with Sawasdee

Pailyn Phitsanulok Hotel
Phitsanulok
From: US$26.00 with Sawasdee

Amarin Lagoon Hotel
Phitsanulok
From: US$34.00 with Sawasdee

Topland Hotel + Convention Centre
Phitsanulok
From: US$35.00 with Sawasdee

The Grand Riverside Hotel
Phitsanulok
From: US$35.00 with Sawasdee

Pattara Resort + Spa
Phitsanulok
From: US$69.00 with Sawasdee

Grand Riverside Hotel
59 Praroung Road, Amphur. Muang,
From: US$86.00 with Agoda

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Phitsanulok reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

Party Like a Local!
By exacto (dabbler - 7 reviews)
Written on 8th December, 2009 after a visit to Phitsanulok in December, 2009
Phitsanulok is a tourist town, but mostly for Thai and asian tourists making the pilgrimage to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai). Even so, Phitsanulok makes for a refreshing stopover to relax and recharge while enjoying Thailand the way the locals do.

Accommodation choices like the LiThai Guest House offer great value for seriously comfy digs. This is also the place to get that 3 or 4-hour massage you've always wanted, since prices at the massage places near the night market are a uniform 100 baht per hour.

Take the river walk from the night market area up to Wat Yai for a relaxing and scenic stroll.

Enjoy an evening at the Sabai Boat Floating River Restaurant, with amazing choices like 3-flavor fish for only 150 baht. Drink up too at the Night Zone, along the river next to the night market. It's Beer Wars here, with jugs of Cheers on tap for as little as 95 baht.

And finally, wear a hat. The concentration of birds near the clock tower and elsewhere creates a serious birdshit hazard.

Sights & activities   History & culture   Scenery & environment   Eat & drink

Traveller's scene   Romance   Value for money   I'll be back (or not)

Also reviewed by exacto: Chiang Mai, Kamphaeng Phet, Ko Maak, Lopburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Savannakhet,

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