In Si Satchanalai district, besides Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Si Satchanalai National Park is also located in this district. The park offers the trekking trail, beautiful waterfalls, caves, etc. Most of famous tourist sites are located near the park office. Within 3 days and 2 nights, you can easily visit all tourist sites. In addition, the park also provides all facilities and amenities such as guesthouses, food shops, tent ground, restrooms and parking space for tourist convenience.

Si Satchanalai National Park is the 26th national park of Thailand. Because our His Majesty the King wished Si Satchanalai people have water supplied by this fertile area, then the Royal Forest Department declared the area of 213.2 sqyare kilometers in Si Satchanalai district and the forest in Thung Saliam district to be Si Satchanalai National Park.

Tad Duen Waterfall

After you reach the park, you are advised to visit this waterfall first as it is just 500 m. away from the park pfficce. Within the few paces from the parking space, you will find Tad Duen Waterfall looking like the gully which its stream flows from Tha Pae brook. Besides, around the waterfall, there are the water basins ideal for swimming.

Tad Dao Waterfall

In the next day, the trekking trail that you should never miss is Tad Dao Waterfall trekking trail. The trail begins at the park office and end at Tad Dao Waterfall. It’s 4 km. long in distance. The first part of the trail is quite flat and easy to trek through but it’s quite steep in the last. The waterfall has 2 large streams plunging the 50 m. high cliff into the basin below. If you get closer to it, you can feel the spray in the air. Sometime, the rainbow can be seen.

Huai Sai Khao Waterfall

On the trail to Tad Dao Waterfall, there is another junction to Huai Sai Khao Waterfall. You can notice the signpost to the waterfall which is 1 km. in distance. Huai Sai Khao Waterfall is a 7-tier waterfall. The basin below is ideal for swimming. The outstanding feature of the waterfall is the white sand around the basin. It’s like the sand of Andaman beach, so called Huai Sai Khao Waterfall. By the way, you can visit this waterfall before Tad Dao Waterfall.

Rue Si Waterfall

The waterfall is located around 3 km. away from the park office. It can be accessed by walking on the same route to Tad Dao Waterfall. Before reaching Tad Dao Waterfall, you will find the left hand junction to the waterfall. Rue Si Waterfall is a small waterfall. The basin below is ideal for swimming. By the way, this waterfall in not popular among the tourist because the trail is quite inconvenient and it needs the guide.

View Spot

Around 3 km. away from the park office, there is a trekking trail for nature study. It takes around 2 hours to complete the trail. When you reach the mountaintop, you will see the panorama of the park office to Mae Tha Pae dam. Besides, in the winter, you can enjoy te sea of mist with the sun rising above. It’s possible to stay overnight here (not more than 50 persons) after you ask for permission from the authority.

Thara Wasan Cave

Inside the cave, there are stalactites, stalagmites and lime stoneof odd shape. The cave is located around 1.5 km. away from the park office. On the trail to the cave, the tourist should beware of the slippery and steep slope.

Facilities

The park provides 7 guesthouses for 2 to 8 persons, tent ground, tents for rent, restrooms, food shops and grocery.

Contact Si Satchanalai National Park

Tel:0 5591 0002-3

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Ramkhamhaeng National Park is the 18th national park of Thailand. It occupies an area of 341 square kilometers covering the parts of Ban Dan Lan Hoi district, Khirimat district and Muang district, Sukhothai. The park was named in honor of Phokhun Ramkhamhaeng Maharat, the great king of Sukhothai period.

The tourist attraction that makes the park famous is Khao Luang mountain range which Khao Phra Maeya is the topmost around 1,200 meters above sea level. Khao Luang trekking trail begins at the park office. It’s around 4 km. in distance taking 3-5 hours. The trail is quite steep, so the trekkers are recommended to keep fit and not to take unnecessary things.

When you trek through some distances, you will fine the minor park unit where there are the officers welcoming the tourists. This area is the only camping area of Khao Luang. Amenities like restrooms are available. From this camping area, you can easily trek through the mountain range to visit all 4 mountaintops by yourself or ask the guide to lead the way.

It’s around 400 meters to Narai mountaintop. This mountaintop looks like the dolphin head in shape. It’s the popular viewpoint for the sunrise. Phukha mountaintop is about 2,200 m. away from Narai mountaintop and 200 m. away from Phra Maeya mountaintop, the summit of the mountain range. Phra maeya mountaintop offers the panoramic view of Khirimat district and Muang district. The last is Chedi mountainrange located 390 m. away from tent ground. It’s the view spot from the sunset. Besides, all 3 mountaintop can be seen.

By the way, before trekking, you should bring food stuffs and fresh water by youself or hiring a porter at the Tourist Service Center.

Ramkhamhaeng National Park

Sai Rung Waterfall

Besides Khao Luang mountainrange, another outstanding tourist site is Sai Rung waterfall. It’s around 50 km. from the park office. To get there, take the Highway no.101 for 16 km., then you will find a junction to Ban Mai Charoen Phon. Turn into the junction for 9 km. and you will find another junction to the parking space. It’s around 4 km. in the distance. From the parking space, you have to walk for 1 km. to the first tier of the waterfall. Sai Rung waterfall is 4-tiered waterfall. Each tier is ideal for swimming and has the steep cliff up to 100 m. high. The best period to visit the waterfall is the rainy season when there is a huge amount of water.

Facilities

The park offers the gusethouses with facilities inside, tent ground and amenities like restrooms, food shop, Tourist Service Center.

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Tourist Service Center

First of all, tourist are recommended to get to Tourist Service Center for overall information on Si Satchanalai Historical Park. The building of Tourist Service Center is divided into 3 zones. The first zone display a model of Si Satchanalai Historical Park. Next is the exhibition of Si Satchanalai history and the last zone displays the models of the remains in the park.

Chang Lom Temple Si Satchanalai Historical park

Chang Lom Temple

The temple is located around the foothill of Khao Panom Ploeng. the most interesting part is the laterite pagoda in Lanka style standing on the 3-tiered base. There are 39 elephant statues on the first base surrounding the pagodas, as its name “Chang Lom”.

Chedi Ched Taew Temple Si Satchanalai Historical park

Chedi Ched Taew Temple

Chedi Ched Taew Temple is located to the southeast of Chang Lom Temple. The temple is surrounded by the moat and the laterite parapet. The principle pagoda is in the shape of funnel. It’s surrounded by 33 pagodas built in different style. To the north of principle pagoda, there is Monthop housing the stuccos and Buddha image in the sitting posture under the Naka head. Besides, once there was the mural on building wall but it faded away as the time passed. However, the Fine Arts Department have copied them and displayed the copy at Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, Sukhothai.

Suan Kaew Uttayan Noi Temple

Suan Kaew Uttayan Noi Temple is located to the northeast of Chedi Ched Taew Temple. The temple is surrounded by the moat and the parapet. The temple compound contains Wihan and the laterite image hall at the side, a funnel-shaped pagoda surrounded by 13 pagodas.

Suan Kaew Uttayan Yai Temple

The temple is a sister temple of Suan Kaew Uttayan Noi Temple. It’s located to the southeast of Chedi Ched Taew Temple. It’s surrounded by the moat and the parapet with 2 gates. The temple compound contains the ruined bell-shaped pagoda, Wihan housing the Buddha image. Ten laterite pillars of Wihan can be seen till today.

Nang Paya Temple

The temple lies to the southeast of Suan Kaew Uttayan Yai Temple. It’s surrounded by parapet with 3 gates. At the front is Wihan having 7 rooms built by laterite. Next to the Wihan is Lanka style pagoda standing on the square base. You can get into the pagoda as there is the entrance on the east side of the pagoda.

Khao Panom Ploeng Temple

The temple is located on the hilltop, around 80 m. away from the city wall to the northeast. The stair leading up to the temple has 144 steps built of laterite. The Lanka style pagoda is the principle part. At the front of pagoda is Wihan and laterite shrine called Chaomae La-ong Samlee shrine  stnads behind. According to the legend, a hermit suggested Phramaha Thammaracha to merge Khao Panom Ploeng as a part of Si Satchanalai town, so it’s the place of fire worship. Besides, the temple offers the scenic view of ancient town, the pagoda of Chang Lom Temple, Chedi Ched Taew Temple and Phra Prang of Phra Si Mahathat Temple.

Khao Suwankhiri Temple

The temple located on another hilltop, next to the west of Khao Panom Ploeng Temple. They are connected each other by walking path. Wihan can be seen at the front and next to Wihan is Lanka style pagoda with the niches on the 3-tiered city wall.

Phra Si Mahathat Temple

The temple is situated outside the ancient city wall, around 4 km. away from Si Satchanalai Historical Park. In old days, the temple was the royal temple and the center of Chaliang Town. The interesting things are Phra prang, Wihan, pagoda, niche, parapet, pagoda circular base, Phra Attharot image and Wihan Song Phi Nong.

Phra Si Mahathat Temple Si Satchanalai Historical park

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Sukhothai Historical Park covers an area of 70 square kilometers or covers the ruins of the ancient glorious Sukhothai Kingdom. the city plan of ancient Sukhothai Kingdom is in the rectangular shape (2 km. x 1.6 km.) surrounded by the wall with the 4 city gates. Inside are the remains of the royal palace and 26 temples. Now, the park is maintained by the Fine Arts Department with the help from UNESCO. On December 12, 1991, it was declared associated historic parks in Kamphaeng Phet and Si Satchanalai.

The interesting sites of this historical park are both outside and within the city wall. Most of them are the remains of Lopburi period. The temple has Phra Prang(pagoda) as a principle part due to the influence of Khmer lying in the east.

THE HISTORICAL SITES WITHIN THE CITY WALL

Within the wall city, there are many historical sites to vitsit. You can start trip at Tourist Service Center on the north and then follow the way on the left hand side first by waling or riding bicycle.

Ramkhamheang National Museum

Located in the east near the ruined gate. The building was built in 1960 and open to public in 1963. It’s divides into 3 zones. The first is Lai Sue Thai building where multi vision slide is presented. Next is the building where artifacts are displayed. The last is the outdoor museum where there are the replicas of large artifacts. The tourists can get close to explore them in detail.

Phokhun Ramkhamheang Maharat Monument

Located by Charod Withithong road, to the north of Mahathat Temple. It’s built of brass mingled with copper in 1975. The statue of King Ramkhamheang sits on the throne teaching his people. At the side, there is an inscription depicting the King’s life.

Mahathat Temple

Located in the center of ancient town. The temple compound contains principle pagoda, Wihan, Monthop, and over 200 pagodas. The principle pagoda well presents Sukhothai architectural style. It’s surrounded by 8 pagodas in 8 directions. Four pagodas on the corner present Haripunchai style and the others present Sukhothai and Lankan art style.

According to the 1st stone inscription, Wihan once housed a golden Buddha image. Later, in early Rattanakosin era, the Buddha image was installed in Suthat Thepwararam Temple in Bangkok by King Rama I and then renamed “Phra Si Sakkayamunee” by King Rama II. Besides, there is another group of pagodas which is the second biggest to the principle pagoda. 

Si Sawai Temple

Located to the south of Mahathat Temple. There are three Lopburi style prangs(pagoda) standing on the base decorated with stuccos. Besides the lintels, fragments of Hindu images and linga indicate that the temple once was a sanctuary of Hinduism.

Thaphang Ngoen Temple

Located to the west of Mahathat Temple. The compound contains the principle pagoda and Wihan with no parapet. The blocks in each side of pagoda houses the Buddha images in the walking and standing posture. Besides, in the east, there is an isle called “Thaphang Ngaen”.

Thaphang Thong Temple

Located on the isle in the middle of the pond, called “Thaphang Thong”. The bell-shaped pagoda is built of the brick and the base is built of the laterite, surrounded by other 8 pagodas. Besides, there is the trace of Buddha footprints of Sukhothai period. Originally, it’s housed in Khao Phrabat Yai and moved to this temple later.

Sra Si Temple

Located to the northwest of Mahathat Temple standing in the middle of the pond called “Thaphang Trakuan”. The interesting part of the temple is the bell-shaped pagoda which serves as the historical evidence of Singhalese Buddhism in ancient Sukhothai Kingdom. So, the pagoda in the shape of the bell is Lanka style.

Chana Songkhram Temple

Is next to the north of Mahathat Temple. Formerly, the temple was named Ratchaburana. The outstanding parts are the bell-shaped pagoda surrounded by other pagodas, Wihan and Bot.

Trakuan Temple

King Rama VI presumes that the name of the temple means “morning glory” in Khmer laguage. According to the legend dating back to 20 B.E., Phra Mahathera Thammatrilok visited Sukhothai governor’s cousin and stayed overnight at this temple. The temple compound contains the bell-shaped pagado and Ubosot where Sukhothai style Buddha image was found.

Ta Pha Daeng Shrine

Is nearly opposite to Sorasak Temple. The shrine made of laterite was built in Khmer style. After the archaeological dig, the fragments of god and goddess and other ornaments were found. They present Khmer art style of the late 17th B.E.

Sorasak Temple

Was named after Inthorn Sorasak who built this temple in honor of Sukhothai govenor. The interesting parts are the Lanka style pagoda with the surrounding elephant statues at the base. According to the religious belief, an elephant is an auspicious animal supporting Buddhism to exist forever.

Besides the historical sites mentioned here, there are others worthy of visit such as city pillar shrine, Phra Ruang castle remain and ancient city wall which has been restored many times.

THE HISTORICAL SITES TO THE NORTH OF THE CITY WALL

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