Sukhothai

Sukhothai reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

• Better than Ayutthaya

  I spent a couple of days in Sukhothai two years ago and really enjoyed it. I think a lot of people toss up between Ayutthaya and Sukhothai and as we couldn't decide between the two we went to both. I'll write a separate report for Ayutthaya, but briefly, while I liked the town there, because the ruins are all intermingled with a living town it's a bit chaotic and it doesn't matter where you are you can always hear a screeching tuktuk of motorbike. It also seemed a lot more polluted than Sukhothai.
  
  In Sukhothai, it's different. As is says above in the Travelfish write-up, the ruins are not in the main town but rather a 15-30 minute songtheaw ride away, all set in a large, peaceful park. While this means the whole site is a bit more manicured than Ayutthaya, it actually works really well as you can walk around, or cycle (as we did, you can hire pushbikes from just outside) totally undisturbed by traffic and whatnot.
  
  The ruins are lovely. There's one massive sitting Buddha that is sort of inside a big box with a slot - I know, difficult to visualise, but you'll know it when you see it - and we just loved it. The hand that is reaching down to touch the ground has these incredibly long fingers and fingernails, I think we must have taken 100 photos!
  
  In two days we went to the park twice. Once on the first afternoon and then again on the following morning. If I was to go again and only had time for one visit I'd go in the morning. We talked to others later in our trip who went in the middle of the day and really didn't enjoy it because of the heat.
  
  Lastly, on the main Sukhothai town (where everyone stays) it's a fun place with lots of cheap guesthouses and had a pretty good ''scene'' for lack of a better word.
  
  I'd definitely go again, and if I had to choose between here and Ayutthaya, I'd go with here.

  • Sights & activities
  • History & culture
  • Scenery & environment
  • Eat & drink
  • Traveller's scene
  • Romance
  • Value for money
  • I'll be back (or not)

  By beachgirl (dabbler)
  Written on 8th May, 2009 after a visit to Sukhothai in February, 2008

  Also reviewed by beachgirl: Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Phu Quoc Island,

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