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All you need to know to visit Uthai Thani

อุทัยธานี
Northern Thailand
230 km from Bangkok
Province of Uthai Thani
Thai pronunciation : Outaï tanee

Budget: 2/5
Recommended stay: 2-3 days
Sightseeing: 4/5

Travel guide to visit Uthai Thani

Located 3h30 by road north of Bangkok, Uthai Thani is relatively unknown to foreign tourists who are extremely rare there. It's not that nothing is interesting in Uthai Thani, it is quite the contrary! But non-Thai websites, bloggers or guides do not talk or very very little about it.

The city and its surroundings alone are worth spending 2 days to enjoy the peaceful life of a provincial city settled on the banks of a river. You will discover the alms offerings to the monk on his boat in the morning, the market along the Sakae Krang river with its floating houses which changes face and size over time, the hill Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri temple which offers a beautiful dominant view, and hosts the most famous Tak Bat Thewo ceremony in Thailand, Wat Bot and its murals, you will cycle through the small roads of the river island of Koh Thepho in the middle of the paddies, eat there in an excellent restaurant that I recommend in my suggestions, go see a craftswoman weaving bamboo; in the evening you will take a boat cruise on the river at sunset. And of course, there is the unmissable Wat Tha Sung, the largest, best-known, and most visited temple in the Uthai Thani province.

And in the rest of the province, you will find natural hot springs with a swimming pool overlooking a lake, a magnificent forest temple, a giant tree, a beautiful national park... In short, there is enough to stay in Uthai Thani for a few days and enjoy it ! Especially if you are looking for a destination between Ayutthaya and Sukhothai that is off the beaten track.

For all the options for getting around Uthai Thani, see our section on getting around in Uthai Thani.

Accommodations in Uthai Thani

As said, there are many Thais, especially from Bangkok coming to Uthai Thani on weekends and public holidays. Even if they do not book in advance, the hotels and guesthouses in Uthai Thani are often full from the beginning of the afternoon on those days. That's why I advise you to book your accommodation in advance if you are planning a stay in Uthai Thani over a weekend or holidays in Thailand. note that among the accommodation options in town, you have a floating guesthouse or a hotel by the river 5-minutes away by bike (provided for free) from Wat Bot and the town (see my accommodation recommendations in Uthai Thani).

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My recommendations

People often ask me which accommodation I recommend in Thailand. Here are my recommendations in Uthai Thani.

U Pae PaeStay Uthaithani (Floating homestay)

Homestay in Uthai Thani

8.7/10 Book now More details

Uthai Heritage Hotel

Hotel in Uthai Thani

8.2/10 Book now More details

Baan Ing Nam Resort

Hotel in Uthai Thani

8.0/10 More details

See all accommodations in Uthai Thani

Practical information about Uthai Thani

Uthai Thani is a popular destination for Thai people, many come on weekends and public holidays, especially from Bangkok. If you can, come here for the Tak Bat Thewo ceremony at the end of Buddhist Lent. The date varies according to the lunar calendar but generally is in October.

Transport in Thailand

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How to go to Uthai Thani ?

To get to Uthai Thani by public transport, the only option is the bus. From Bangkok, buses to Uthai Thani depart from the Mo Chit Bus Terminal. There are a few departures per day (call the Uthai Thani Bus Terminal at 056 511 914 to confirm schedules). There are also very regular local buses from Nakhon Sawan, which is accessible by train, making it possible to get to Uthai Thani by combining train and bus.

See all options to go to Uthai Thani

How to get around in Uthai Thani ?

To get around town in Uthai Thani and Koh Thepho, the most practical, and incidentally green way, is the bicycle. Many hotels offer bycicles to their guests for free. There is even a fairly famous circuit with cycle paths that goes on the river island of Koh Thepho and goes to Wat Tha Sung. Taxis are non-existent, tuk-tuks quite rare in Uthai Thani.

Festivals in Uthai Thani ?

Here is a list of the main festivals held every year in Uthai Thani. Their dates are published as soon as they are official on the Festivals in Thailand page.

Tak Bat Thevo Festival

This festival usually takes place in October

More about Tak Bat Thevo Festival

Must-visits in

Wat Tha Sung (Crystal Temple)

วัดท่าซุง

My opinion : 5/5

It is the most famous and visited temple, especially by Thais, in Uthai Thani province and it is therefore obviously a must-see place! And it is very photogenic, especially its Golden Castle!

Hup Pa Tat

หุบป่าตาด

My opinion : 5/5

This cave with a collapsed ceiling located in a lush forest with rare and ancient tree species is probably the most unmissable natural tourist attraction in Uthai Thani province. It is 50 km away from the city.

Ko Thepho river island

เกาะเทโพ

My opinion : 5/5

This rural island just opposite the Uthai Thani city is very pleasant for its landscapes of rice fields and its local life. It is quite a popular place for Thais to go on bike tours. There is also an excellent restaurant and a bamboo weaving workshop.

Wat Uposatharam (Wat Bot)

วัดอุโบสถราม

My opinion : 4/5

It is one of the two temples to visit in town in Uthai Thani. Located on the banks of the river, opposite the city, Wat Uposatharam is especially interesting to visit for its ancient murals. The morning alms giving ceremony to a monk on a boat is also interesting.

Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri

วัดสังกัสรัตนคีรี

My opinion : 4/5

This temple in the city is partly perched on a hill. It is a high place of pilgrimage, the best known in Thailand for the Tak Bat Thewo ceremony which takes place at the end of Buddhist Lent. It also offers a very nice view overlooking Uthai Thani city.

Uthai Thani Walking Street (Trok Rong Ya Walking Street)

ถนนคนเดิน

My opinion : 4/5

This large night market located in 2 streets which become partly pedestrian for the occasion is held every Saturday evening in Uthai Thani city. This is an opportunity to taste and discover Thai Street Food by picking your dinner at the numerous food stalls and to enjoy this quite unique atmosphere.

Wat Tham Khao Wong

วัดถ้ำเขาวง

My opinion : 5/5

This temple built in a beautiful mountain setting 90 kilometers from Uthai Thani city is one of the most beautiful in the province. From my point of view, it is worth the detour especially if you plan a itinerary between the Giant Tree, this temple, Wat Pha Thang and the hot springs.

Samorthong Warm Springs

น้ำพุร้อนสมอทอง

My opinion : 5/5

Very little put the Samorthong Warm Springs among the visits to make in Uthai Thani province, but they are one of the most nice hot springs in Thailand. Especially thanks to their raised pool by the lake offering an incredible setting for a relaxation break.

Other places to see in Uthai Thani

Sakae Krang River Walk

This small portion of the edge of the Sakae Krang river on the city side is pleasant to cycle through. There you better see and understand the floating houses' life. They are quite numerous in this area including a floating homestay which is, I believe, the only one in Uthai Thani.