Your Travel Guide to Thailand
All information & tips to prepare your trip in Thailand
Historical parks to see in Thailand
Historical parks to discover in Thailand
Thailand is best known abroad, if you've never been there before, for its paradise beaches and islands, but for me, a trip in Thailand without visiting its historical sites is incomplete. I'm thinking in particular of Sukhothai Historical Park, undoubtedly the most beautiful, and Ayutthaya, 85 kilometers north of Bangkok, both former capitals of the Kingdom of Siam at its best. But we can add, Si Satchanalai and that of Kamphaeng Phet historical parks, a little less well known but where I personally love to cycle around too!Many people do not know but Thailand also has some superb Khmer temple remains. The most beautiful khmer temples in Thailand are Phanom Rung in Buriram province and Phimai, closer to Bangkok, in Nakhon Ratchasima province.All these sites are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and feature centuries-old ruins.
Sukhothai Historical Park
is one of the prides of the country. By feet or by bicycle (rentals at the entrance), you will discover the remains of the past of this city that dominated the thai kingdom for nearly two centuries. Decks, altars, bas-reliefs, chedis, columns and above all the great stone Buddhas, it is like a living postcard. Most temples are grouped in the park but one of them are a little outside. Wat Chum for instance that includes a massive sitting Buddha is highly recommended.
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
located 42 km northwest of Udon, the park covers a large part of the Phu Phan mountain and includes caves with prehistoric paintings, interesting rock formations and temples including a stupa housing a footprint of Buddha . (Open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Si Satchanalai Historical Park
deep in nature, it has several ruins of temples including Wat Chang Lom, which is better preserved here than the Wat Chang Lom in Sukhothai. Take time to climb the steps to the top of the hill. Up there, you will be surrounded by trees and discover a sitting Buddha and the chedi of Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng. A very peaceful place...
Si Satchanalai Historical Park
about sixty kilometers from Sukothai, in a little less designed nature, it houses the ruins of the same kind that the one in Sukhothai but less numerous.
Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park
in two parts, one involving the Wat Phra That and Wat Phra Kaew with its three great Buddhas and one more in the forest with numerous remains of temples. It is THE visit to do in Kamphaeng Phet
Phimai temple
which houses Prasat Phimai, one of the finest examples of Khmer temple in Thailand. Its architecture reminds of Angkor Wat in many ways.
Phimai temple
at 60 kilometers from Nakhon Ratchasima, the city of Phimai has one of the most beautiful Khmer temples in Thailand. The Prasat Hin Phimai (in Phimai Historical Park) has much in common with Angkor Wat even if it is much smaller.
Phanom Rung
Khmer temple built on top of an extinct volcano . You access to it by a long paved walkway and a beautiful staircase. Very unique! With the temple of Phimai, these are the two finest Khmer temples in Thailand.
Phanom Rung
Khmer temple built on top of an extinct volcano . You access to it by a long paved walkway and a beautiful staircase. Very unique! With the temple of Phimai, these are the two finest Khmer temples in Thailand.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park
On the top of an hill populated by monkeys, this historical park and its white chedi are the emblem of the city of Phetchaburi
Wiang Kum Kam
Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city in which there are ruins of temples that are 5 or 6 centuries old and others a little more recent. It is especially a god site for bike rides in its small streets, to discover its temples. Little known to tourists, this is not a must visit in Chiang Mai but a place that I personally like.
Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park
This historical site is the most western Khmer vestige found in Thailand, not the most beautiful in the country but it remains an interesting place to visit and is a stop you can easily add to the route to other places of interest in the province.
Visit the temples of Angkor too
If you enjoy Thailand’s historical parks, don’t miss Angkor, in Cambodia: it is the largest archaeological site in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The former capital of the Khmer Empire, which also ruled part of Thailand (Phimai, Phanom Rung and Lopburi are its heirs), it has hundreds of temples scattered through the jungle around Siem Reap: Angkor Wat and its reflections at sunrise, the smiling faces of the Bayon in Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm overgrown by the roots of silk-cotton trees.
Siem Reap is just over an hour’s flight from Bangkok. Allow 2 to 3 days there to see the highlights.
Plan my trip to CambodiaSearch places to visit in Thailand by destination
Places to visit in Thailand city by city
- Amphawa
- Ayutthaya
- Ban Krut
- Bang Saphan
- Buriram
- Cha Am
- Chanthaburi
- Chiang Dao
- Chiang Khan
- Chiang Mai
- Chiang Rai
- Chumphon
- Hua Hin
- Kamphaeng Phet
- Kanchanaburi
- Khanom
- Khao Lak
- Khao Sok
- Khao Yai
- Khon Kaen
- Koh Chang
- Koh Jum
- Koh Kood
- Koh Kradan
- Koh Lanta
- Koh Larn
- Koh Libong
- Koh Lipe
- Koh Mak
- Koh Mook
- Koh Ngai
- Koh Phangan
- Koh Phi Phi
- Koh Rayang
- Koh Samet
- Koh Samui
- Koh Sichang
- Koh Sukorn
- Koh Tao
- Koh Wai
- Koh Yao Noi
- Krabi
- Lampang
- Lamphun
- Loei
- Lopburi
- Mae Hong Son
- Nakhon Pathom
- Nakhon Ratchasima
- Nakhon Sawan
- Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Nan
- Nang Rong
- Nong Khai
- Pai
- Pattaya
- Phatthalung
- Phetchabun
- Phetchaburi
- Phimai
- Phitsanulok
- Phrae
- Phuket
- Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Railay
- Ranong
- Rayong
- Roi Et
- Sakon Nakhon
- Samut Songkhram
- Sangkhlaburi
- Si Saket
- Si Satchanalai
- Sukhothai
- Surat Thani
- Surin
- Trang
- Trat
- Ubon Ratchathani
- Udon Thani
- Uthai Thani
- Yasothon
Find a hotel in Thailand
Historical parks in Thailand
There are many historical parks in Thailand, most of them listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The best known is Sukhothai Historical Park with its stone Buddhas, a must-see to discover the rich history of Thailand!
Floating markets in Thailand
Floating markets are a Thai tradition that fortunately still survives in parts of the country, even if there are few of them and some have become rather touristy. The best known are near Amphawa, about 100 km from Bangkok.
National parks in Thailand
There are two types of national parks in Thailand: land parks and marine parks. Both offer the extraordinary landscapes of a country blessed by nature, and Thailand's national parks are among the most beautiful in the world.
Temples in Thailand
Thailand is a deeply Buddhist country with thousands of temples. It is impossible to visit them all, but we give you detailed practical information to discover many of the most famous temples in Thailand.
