Sukhothai New City
สุโขทัย · Sukhothai Province
Population
35K
Budget / Month
$255
Internet
50 Mbps
Best Season
November to February (cool season)
About Sukhothai New City
Sukhothai New City is where most travelers base themselves when visiting the UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Thailand's first capital. The town is small, low-key, and functional, a grid of streets along the Yom River with guesthouses, restaurants, a bus station, and a morning market.
There is no pretense here. New Sukhothai exists to serve the local population and travelers heading to the old city 12 km west. But it has quiet charm: the Yom River provides pleasant walking, the night market is lively and cheap, and the pace is unhurried. The local specialty, kuay tiew Sukhothai, is a noodle dish worth seeking out.
Most visitors spend one or two nights before moving on to Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, or Lampang. The historical park itself is one of Thailand's most important cultural sites, with dozens of 13th-14th century temples best explored by bicycle. Loy Krathong in November features one of Thailand's most spectacular celebrations at the illuminated ruins.
Historical Note
The Sukhothai Kingdom (1238-1438) is considered the first Thai kingdom, with King Ramkhamhaeng credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The modern new city grew as an administrative centre, while the historical park preserves the original capital's ruins as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
Best time to visit: November to February (cool season)
At a Glance
Thai Name
สุโขทัย
Province
Sukhothai
Region
Northern
Population
35,000
Area
6,596 km²
Elevation
70 m
Postal Code
64000
Airport
THS
Local Language
Thai
Cost of Living
budget
/month9,000 THB
~$255 USD
comfortable
/month16,500 THB
~$470 USD
luxury
/month33,000 THB
~$940 USD
food
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 25 | 45 |
| Sukhothai noodles | 35 | 55 |
| Local restaurant meal | 35 | 60 |
| Coffee at cafe | 35 | 55 |
| Beer (local) | 45 | 70 |
accommodation
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm per night | 150 | 300 |
| Guesthouse per night | 300 | 700 |
| Budget hotel per night | 500 | 1,000 |
| Old city resort per night | 1,500 | 4,000 |
transport
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Songthaew to historical park | 30 | 30 |
| Bicycle rental per day | 30 | 50 |
| Motorbike rental per day | 200 | 300 |
| Bus to Phitsanulok | 40 | 60 |
entertainment
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Historical park entrance (foreigners) | 100 | 100 |
utilities
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile internet (monthly) | 300 | 600 |
Internet & Connectivity
Speed Test Averages
vs Bangkok Average (200 Mbps)
25% of Bangkok speed
Providers
Coworking Spaces
0
Weather & Climate
November to February for cool weather. The November full moon Loy Krathong at the historical park is one of Thailand's most spectacular celebrations. Book accommodation well in advance for this. March to May is extremely hot.
Burning Season Warning
March-April can bring haze from agricultural burning in the northern region.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 16 | 5 | 60% |
| Feb | 35 | 18 | 10 | 55% |
| Mar | 37 | 22 | 25 | 55% |
| Apr | 38 | 25 | 55 | 60% |
| May | 35 | 25 | 160 | 72% |
| Jun | 34 | 24 | 120 | 73% |
| Jul | 33 | 24 | 130 | 74% |
| Aug | 33 | 24 | 180 | 77% |
| Sep | 32 | 23 | 230 | 80% |
| Oct | 32 | 22 | 130 | 76% |
| Nov | 31 | 19 | 25 | 65% |
| Dec | 30 | 16 | 5 | 60% |
Things to Do
Sukhothai Historical Park
อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์สุโขทัย
Sprawling UNESCO site with dozens of 13th-14th century temples from Thailand's first capital, best explored by bicycle.
Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ รามคำแหง
Essential context museum near the historical park displaying Sukhothai-era artefacts and the story of the kingdom.
Night Market
Excellent street food market in the town centre, busiest on weekends.
Yom River Walk
Pleasant walking along the river in the evening, the town's most relaxing area.
Si Satchanalai Historical Park
อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์ศรีสัชนาลัย
Sukhothai's quieter sister city 55 km north along the Yom River, often more rewarding due to fewer crowds.
Bicycle Ride Between Old and New Cities
The 12 km road is flat and manageable, passing rice paddies and villages.
Food & Dining
ก๋วยเตี๋ยวสุโขทัย
Kuay Tiew Sukhothai
The local specialty: thin rice noodles in sweet-sour pork broth with green beans, crushed peanuts, and sliced pork.
35-55
Noodle shops throughout new city and near the ruins
ผัดไทยสุโขทัย
Pad Thai Sukhothai
A local variation of pad thai wrapped in an egg crepe.
35-50
Night market stalls
ข้าวหลาม
Khao Lam
Sticky rice cooked in bamboo with coconut milk, a sweet snack common at markets.
15-30
Market vendors along the road to the old city
หมูปิ้ง
Moo Ping
Grilled pork skewers marinated in garlic and coriander root, a classic market snack.
10-20
Night market and morning market stalls
Night Markets
- Sukhothai Night Market
Accommodation
Hostel Dorm
150 - 300
THB / night
Budget Hotel
300 - 700
THB / night
Mid-Range
500 - 1,200
THB / night
Luxury
1,500 - 4,000
THB / night
Studio /mo
2,500 - 5,000
THB / night
1BR /mo
3,500 - 6,500
THB / night
Best Areas for Tourists
Best Areas for Long Stay
Booking Tip
Old city area is more atmospheric with rice paddy views. New city is better for transport and evening food. Book well ahead for Loy Krathong in November.
Getting There from Bangkok
Sukhothai Airport
Airport Code: THS
Bus
6-7 hours
250-400 THB
Bus via Phitsanulok
6h train + 1h bus
300-700 THB
Bangkok Airways flight
1.5 hours
3000-5000 THB
Getting Around
Songthaew to historical park
LimitedRuns during daylight hours between new and old city
30
Bicycle rental
WidespreadEssential for the historical park
30-50/day
Motorbike rental
LimitedGood for Si Satchanalai and surrounding areas
200-300/day
Neighborhoods
Bus Station Area
Functional traveler zoneGuesthouses, restaurants, and travel agents within walking distance of the bus terminal.
Best for: Convenience, transport connections, evening food
Old City (Historical Park Zone)
Peaceful, rural, historicA few guesthouses and restaurants outside the park walls, surrounded by rice paddies.
Best for: Atmosphere, sunrise at ruins, quiet stays
Festivals & Events
Loy Krathong
ลอยกระทง
Sukhothai hosts one of Thailand's most spectacular Loy Krathong celebrations with illuminated ruins, floating krathongs, and light-and-sound shows. Book accommodation well in advance.
Songkran
สงกรานต์
Water festival with local celebrations.
Practical Info
Hospital
Sukhothai Hospital
Best SIM Provider
AIS
ATM Availability
Common
Language Tip
Basic English at guesthouses and tourist services. Very little English elsewhere.
Drinking Water
Drink only bottled water
Tipping Culture
Not expected
7-Eleven Density
Common
Emergency Numbers
191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police)
Day Trips
Si Satchanalai Historical Park
Sukhothai's quieter sister city, less visited and often more atmospheric.
Phitsanulok
Bigger city with Phra Phuttha Chinnarat and floating restaurants on the Nan River.
Ramkhamhaeng National Park
Forested mountain park with trails and viewpoints.
Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I stay in new city or old city?
New city for convenience (bus station, food, nightlife), old city for atmosphere (quiet, close to ruins, rice paddy views). New city if arriving late; old city if you want sunrise at the ruins.
How long do I need for the historical park?
One full day covers the main zones. Two days allows a relaxed pace. Half a day is rushed but covers the central highlights.
Is the Bangkok Airways flight worth it?
Expensive (3,000-5,000 THB vs 300 THB bus from Phitsanulok), but the airport is charming and it saves significant time.
Can I visit both Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai in one day?
Possible but tiring. Better to give each a separate day. Si Satchanalai is often more rewarding due to fewer crowds.
When is Loy Krathong?
November full moon. Sukhothai's celebration at the illuminated ruins is considered the best in Thailand. Book accommodation months in advance.
What are Sukhothai noodles?
Thin rice noodles in a sweet-sour pork broth with green beans, crushed peanuts, and sliced pork. A genuine local specialty different from Bangkok noodles.