Why Kamphaeng Phet Was One of Our Favorite Stops in Thailand

Posted on April 30, 2025 | Julie J. |

Kamphaeng Phet might not be on everyone’s Thailand itinerary, but that’s exactly why we loved it. It’s quiet, low-key, and feels incredibly authentic — especially after the buzz of cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

The historical park here is a hidden gem, and spending a slow day biking through the ruins and lush jungle made for one of the most peaceful experiences of our trip.

Here’s how we spent our day:

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Biking Through the Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park

We rented bikes from our guesthouse early in the morning (highly recommended — it gets hot fast) and headed out to the historical park just outside of town. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed group of sites that includes Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai, but Kamphaeng Phet is far less visited. We actually only saw the staff and a group of kids from a local school there.

The ruins are scattered across a forested park, which makes it feel like you’re discovering them for the first time. There were barely any other visitors, and the whole place felt calm and almost mysterious.

Some of the highlights:

Wat Phra Si Iriyabot – Known for its towering Buddha statues, especially the standing one that’s still incredibly well preserved.
Wat Phra Non – Home to a large reclining Buddha, now mostly ruined but still striking in its scale and layout.
Wat Chang Rop – With its elephant-adorned base, it reminded us a bit of similar temples in Sukhothai and Chiang Mai.

The bike paths here are shaded and peaceful, and you can take your time — there’s no rush or crowds. They give you a map at the checkpoint so that you can easily orient yourself.

Note that the park was full of dogs. They don’t seem aggressive, and we had no problems with them. If you tend to get scared by dogs, be prepared.

Lunch in Town

After a morning of temple-hopping, we headed back into town for lunch. We stopped at Thammarat Phochana by the clock tower — nothing fancy, but the food was tasty and cheap.

We stopped at a local spot that had great khao soi (surprisingly, for being far from Chiang Mai) and refreshing fruit shakes. Honestly, the break felt amazing after biking in the heat. The area is also known for its egg bananas (kluai khai) – they even have a festival – make sure you try some.

We took our time to wait a bit to wait out the hottest hours.

Exploring the Inner-City Temples: Wat Phra That & Wat Phra Kaeo

In the afternoon, we explored the second section of the historical park, which is located right in the town center. It’s walkable and less spread out than the morning site.

Wat Phra That – A beautiful, old chedi surrounded by trees. It’s quieter and feels more integrated into the local town.

Wat Phra Kaeo – Once a royal temple, it’s now a sprawling complex of ruins and foundations. It’s not as dramatic as the outer park but still worth visiting, especially to see the contrast in style and layout.

Dinner at the Night Market

We wrapped up the day at the Kamphaeng Phet night market, right near the river. It’s small compared to Bangkok’s or Chiang Mai’s, but it had a cozy, community vibe that we loved.

We wandered through the stalls, grabbed skewers, noodles, and some grilled banana desserts, then found a spot to sit and people-watch. No crowds, no chaos — just a perfect, easy end to the day.

Travel Tips for Visiting Kamphaeng Phet

How to Get to Kamphaeng Phet

Kamphaeng Phet doesn’t have a train station, so your best options are:

By Bus – The easiest way to get there is by bus from Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus Terminal. The ride takes around 5–6 hours, and there are multiple departures daily. Buses are comfortable and affordable. The bus station is a bit outside of the city center, you can arrange for pick up by your guesthouse or hire a tuktuk.

By Car – If you’re renting a car or using a private driver, Kamphaeng Phet is about 360 km north of Bangkok. It’s an easy drive and makes a nice stop if you’re heading toward Sukhothai or Chiang Mai.

From Sukhothai – Kamphaeng Phet is about 1.5 hours away by bus or car, making it a great add-on if you’re already exploring Thailand’s historical sites.

Getting Around

Rent a Bike – Most guesthouses offer bike rentals (we got ours for around 50 THB). The outer historical park is best explored by bike. The town itself is also small and bike-friendly.

Tuk-Tuks or Songthaews – If biking isn’t your thing, tuk-tuks are available but not always easy to flag down. Ask your accommodation to help arrange one.

Temple Tips

Two Main Sites – The historical park is split into two areas: the larger forest site outside of town and the smaller inner-city area. Try to visit both for a full picture of the city’s history.

Entrance Fee – Expect to pay around 100 THB for each section.

Best Time to Visit – Mornings are cooler and quieter — especially ideal if you’re biking.

Other Tips

Wear good walking shoes — the outer park covers a lot of ground.
Bring sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of water.
The town is pretty quiet at night, so plan to relax or enjoy the low-key night market scene.

Final Thoughts

Kamphaeng Phet might not have the name recognition of Sukhothai or Ayutthaya, but that’s part of its charm. If you like slow travel, quiet historical sites, and seeing a less-touristy side of Thailand, it’s well worth a stop.
It’s also a great place to just breathe for a day or two — no tight schedules, no pressure to tick boxes. Just a bike, some ancient temples, and a few cold fruit shakes in between.

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