Phitsanulok (pop. 80000) is in Northern Thailand, halfway between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Understand

Phitsanulok is a great starting point for exploring the ancient Thai capital of Sukhothai. The local TAT office is at 209 Thanon Borom Trailokanat (08:30 - 16:30 daily)

Get in

By plane

Thai International Airways offers regular flights between Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai (40 minutes). Bus #4 runs to the airport, as do tuk-tuks for about 10-20 baht.

By rail

There are several daily services north to Chiang Mai and south to Bangkok, both take about 6-7 hours.

By bus

Extensive bus services connect Phitsanulok with Chiang Mai and Bangkok. As a major transportation hub there are also regular services to the North-East. Phitsanulok is about 390 km north of Bangkok. Buses take less than 5 hours for the ride, and 6 hours to Chiang Mai. The main bus station is east of the train station. From here buses leave to Chiang Mai, Tak (via Sukhothai), Khon Kaen and Bangkok.

Buses to Sukhothai leave across the road from the Topland Plaza Hotel. The trip takes about one hour and will cost around 25 to 40 baht.

Get around

Public buses serve the town and there is no shortage of tuk-tuks and taxis.

See

Phitsanulok is not a very popular spot with tourists so it has preserved the charm of a larger Thai city.

• Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai): near Naresuan Bridge, this is the most important monastery of Phitsanulok and home of the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat, one of the most beautiful Buddha images in Thailand.

• The house-boats: only a few of them are left on the river and some now function as restaurants and cafes.

Do

Visit the wats and stroll around a real Thai-city without the tourist trappings of Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Eat

Several markets offer the typical varietey of food stalls.

Sleep

This is not a tourist place so there isn't that broad range of guesthouses. But don't worry as there are several good options at rates much lower than in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

• Topland Plaza Hotel, 68/33 Ekathosarot Rd; tel. +66-55247800. Part of the Topland Plaza shopping centre, this is one of the better hotels. Buses to Sukhothai leave just in front of the hotel. Rates start at 900 baht and it's well worth the money but can be a little noisy at night as it houses a popular night-club.

• The No.4 guesthouse might a better option for the budget traveller.

• or try the LiThai Guesthouse 73/1-5 Phayalithai Rd, Phitsanulok Tel: (055) 219 626-9 Fax: (055) 219 627 ext 500 ; they have moderate prices.

Get out

Phitsanulok is a good stop-over on the way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (or vice versa).

• Sukhothai is a good option for a day-trip - or more.