North : hotel in Thailand and attractions

Things to see & do

Sukhothai Attractions
Having gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sukhothai Historical Park is situated at the actual site of the ancient kingdom, with many of the important ruins located within the walled Royal City in the middle of the entire layout. Ruins of royal palaces, temples, city walls, moats, dams, ditches and other infrastructures have been well preserved and constantly restored to display the magnificent beauty of Thailand’s cultural heritage. Best way to enjoy the park is on bicycles.

The King Ramkamhaeng Monument is situated north of Wat Mahathat. The bronze statue of the king sits on a throne with a base relief documenting his life. The king was the creator of the first Thai alphabet.

Tak Attractions
Nearby is a staute of King Taksin the Great, a former governor of Tak who mobilized the Thais into successfully reunited the nation after the Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese in 1767. To the north of Mae Sot is the Taksin Maharat National Park, featuring a steeply descending trail to the huge krabak tree, measuring 50 m tall and a girth of 16 m. The park is a haven for bird watching. Another park highlight is the 9-tiered Mae Ya Falls.

Thi Lo Su Waterfall This spectacular waterfall is located in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary and can be visited only from November through May. Would - be visitors to the waterfall and wildlife sanctuary are recommended to enquire first with the TAT

Phetchabun Attractions
The rolling green hills, similar to those in Switzerland, of Khao Kor was once a major clashing point between the Thai military and the Communist forces that hid and resided among the densely forested hills. Sites of interest include the different viewing points, the Jeen Haw Memorial, the Weapon Museum, a Khao Kor Memorial dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives fighting here, the Khao Kor Royal Palace, Sridit Falls, Rattanai Reservoir, Khao Kor open zoo, and Nern Mahasachan (Amazing Cliff).

The highly revered Phra Phut Maha Thammaracha is considered to be the city’s protector and housed at Wat Traiphum, near the heart of the city. The locals found the ornamental Lopburi-style Buddha image in the Pasak River in front of the temple and conducted a religious ceremony to invite the image to reside at the temple. Later, it disappeared but was eventually found at the bottom of the Pasak River at the original site, resulting in an annual celebration.

The city’s principal and oldest temple is Wat Mahathat. Believed to date from the Sukhothai era, it contains a 14th century, Sukhothai-style chedi. When the Fine Arts Department renovated the chedi in 1967, they discovered numerous Buddha images from many eras. Also housed within the temple grounds are 2 Buddha images from the U-Thong period.

Kamphaeng Phet Attractions
Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park is located in the township area. The archaeological sites in the ancient city of Kamphaeng Phet is now under the renovation by the Fine Arts Departments and open to the public everyday from 8.30-16.00 hrs. The admission fee is 20 Baht. The ancient ruins in Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park are divided into 2 areas: This important monastery is situated in the heart of Kamphaeng Phet City. Its walls are made of whose slabs of round sand stone laid parallel to the city walls. All structure within the monastery are made of sand and it is presided over by a large pagoda of Sri Lankan style.

Lampang AttractionsThis monastery is the most important one in Lampang, located in Tambon Lompang Luang, Amphoe Ko Kha, 18 kms. from the township area, housing Pra Kaew Don Tao Buddha Image whose lap width is 6.50 inches, and overall height from the base to topknot is 8 inches. The base in made of flat-piece gold weighing a litter over 285 grams while the head wear is of golden crown with ornament made in the form of necklace weighing 105 grams.

Chae Son National Park
Part of the multi-purpose project forest or Mae pai Forest, Tambon Chae Son, Amphoe Muang pan, it is 72 kilometers from the district town on the Lampang-Chae Hom Route. From a road sign indicating a left turn into Amphoe Muang Pan, one travels 14 kilometers farther before reaching the waterfall.

Phitsanulok Attractions
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, the province’s most important temple, was built on the banks of the Nan River in mid-14th century. Also called Wat Yai, the temple complex originally housed a Sukhothai lotus bud chedi that was later replaced by the tall Ayutthayan prang that is seen today. The wiharn houses the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat, one of the most highly revered Buddha image in all of Thailand, second only to the Emerald Buddha. Made of gilded bronze and dating back from the 14th century, the serene figure is a supreme example of late Sukhothai art, regarded as the Kingdom’s most beautiful Buddha image that has served as the model for many other Buddha images. It was cast in the attitude of subduing evil.

Across the road, a linking compound connects Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Nang Phaya, both believed to date back to the city’s founding days. While Wat Ratchaburana features faded 19th century murals depicting scenes form the Thai Ramakien folklore inside its bot (prayer hall), Wat Nang Phaya is known for the special “Phra Nang Phaya” votive tablets with the form of a 3-headed nagas decorated on their eaves.

Phrae Attractions
A stairway flanked on both sides with nagas (dragon-like serpents) and stone singhs (lions) lead through the teak forest up to the hilltop Wat Phra That Cho Hae, a popular pilgrimage site. Dating back from 12th-13th century, the temple is named after the satin-like cloth (cho hae) that worshippers wrapped around the 33-m tall gilded chedi at the annual fair. Inside the chedi is the revered Phra Chao Than Chai, believed to grant wishes. Also see the beautiful lotus and star-shaped colored glass mosaics.

Phae Muang Phi (Ghost Land) is a popular excursion to view the surreal, unnatural Mars-like landscape of rock formations. Soil erosion has produced large, weird mushroom-shaped pillars rising up from the baked ground, in part resembling a miniature Grand Canyon. Local legend says the ghost land is haunted by those who lost their way in this desolated place.