Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0 5564 1259; 2 Th Thetsaban Damri; r 220-320B; )
Located 1km south of the train station on
the main street that runs through Sawankhalok, this long-standing hotel has clean, com-
fortable rooms and a coffee shop.
RESORT
$$$
Sukhothai Heritage Resort
( 0 5564 7564;
www.sukhothaiheritage.com
;
999 Moo 2; r incl breakfast 3200-4200B, ste incl breakfast
6200-8200B; )
Approximately 32km from Si Satchanalai Historical Park near Suk-
hothai Airport is this upscale yet rural-feeling, isolated resort. Seemingly a continuation of
the historical park, the low-lying brick and peak-roofed structures are interspersed by
green fields and calming lotus-filled ponds, culminating in a temple-like environment.
The rooms take you back to the contemporary world with large flat-screen TVs and mod-
ern furniture.
Getting There & Away
BUS
Si Satchanalai-Chaliang Historical Park is off Rte 101 between Sawankhalok and Ban Hat
Siaw. From New Sukhothai, take a Si Satchanalai bus (50B, 1½ hours, 11am) or one of
three buses to Chiang Rai at 6.40am, 9am and 11.30am (46B), and ask to get off at '
meu·ang gòw'
(old city). The last bus back to New Sukhothai leaves at 4.30pm.
To get to the park from Sawankhalok, you can hop on just about any north-bound line
from the town's roadside bus terminal (24B to 50B, 30 minutes, frequent from 7am to
5pm).
TRAIN
Sawankhalok's original train station is one of the local sights. King Rama VI built a 60km
railway spur from Ban Dara (a small town on the main northern trunk) to Sawankhalok
just so that he could visit the ruins. Amazingly, there's a daily special express from
Bangkok to Sawankhalok (482B, seven hours, 10.50am). The train heads back to
Bangkok at 7.40pm, arriving in the city at 3.30am. You can also take this train to Phit-
sanulok (328B, 3½ hours, 5.55pm). It's a 'Sprinter' - 2nd class air-con and no sleepers.
The fare includes dinner and breakfast.
Getting Around
You can hire bicycles (
Click here
)
from near the food stalls at the entrance to the historical
park.
