Are you traveling to Thailand and looking to avoid the crowded tourist locations? Consider visiting the province of Kamphaeng Phet, rich in historical importance; this former Royal City is well worth including on your trip.
Kamphaeng Phet
(Thai: กำแพงเพชร)
A province (Changwat) of Thailand located in the upper center of the country. Its neighboring provinces are Sukhothai, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Tak, and Phichit.
Origin
In Lao or Thai Kamphaeng means 'wall' and Phet means 'diamond.' The name means 'wall as hard as a diamond.'
The old name was Khao Kampeng, refers to a 'mountain wall' between the two countries.
Kamphaeng Phet History
Once a royal city in the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 14th century, then known as Chakangrao. It formed an essential part of the defense system of the kingdom, as well as later of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
Symbols of Kamphaeng Phet
The provincial seal of Kamphaeng Phet shows the city walls surmounted with diamonds since the city name means 'wall of diamonds' (from the shape of the ramparts of the old city walls).
The provincial tree of Kamphaeng Phet is the Areca Nut Palm (Acacia Catechu), and the provincial flower the bullet wood (Mimusops Elengi).
Kamphaeng Phet Districts (Amphoe or Amphur)
The province is divided into eleven districts (Amphoes).
These are then further subdivided into 78 sub-districts (Tambons) and 823 villages (Mubans).
Mueang Kamphaeng Phet (Thai: เมืองกำแพงเพชร)
The capital district of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 214,000
Postal code: 62000
Sai Ngam (Thai: ไทรงาม)
In the east of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 52,000
Postal code: 62150
Khlong Lan (Thai: คลองลาน)
The westernmost district of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 64,000
Postal code 62180
Khanu Woralaksaburi (Thai: ขาณุวรลักษบุรี)
In the south of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 107,000
Postal code 62180
Khlong Khlung (Thai: คลองขลุง)
In the central part of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 75,000
Postal code: 62120
Phran Kratai (Thai: พรานกระต่าย)
The northernmost district of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 69,000
Postal code: 62110
Lan Krabue (Thai: ลานกระบือ)
The northeasternmost district of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 42,000
Postal code: 62170
Sai Thong Watthana (Thai: ทรายทองวัฒนา)
A central district of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 24,000
Postal code: 62190
Pang Sila Thong (Thai: ปางศิลาทอง)
The southwesternmost district of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 31,000
Postal code: 62120
Bueng Samakkhi (Thai: บึงสามัคคี)
In the east of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 27,000
Postal code: 62210
Kosamphi Nakhon (Thai: โกสัมพีนคร)
In the northwestern part of Kamphaeng Phet Province
Population: 28,347
Postal code: 62000
Kamphaeng Phet Province total area
Total - 8,607.5 km2 (3,323.4 sq mi)
Current population of Kamphaeng Phet province
Total - 730,000
Location
Located in the lower north of Thailand on the banks of the Ping River, Kamphaeng Phet is approximately halfway between Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
To the east are riverine plains while the western areas are made up of high mountains lush with forests where many of Kamphaeng Phet national parks are located.
Areas along the river banks at present-day city used to host several ancient towns which played a significant role as strategic front-lines since Sukhothai was the kingdom's capital down through the times of Ayutthaya and early-Rattanakosin (Bangkok) eras.
Kamphaeng Phet importance gradually declined over time and became an ordinary, smallish provincial city until the establishment of the historic park and its listing as a World Heritage site in 1991.
Still, unlike its well-known neighbor Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet is overlooked by most tourists. This is why the city has few offerings geared towards the needs of the international traveler. Some visitors may view this as a drawback, but those looking to experience authentic, upcountry Thailand, are coming just to the right place.
Egg bananas
Kamphaeng Phet is a "banana capital." Its local specialty is "egg bananas" (Kluai Khai in Thai), whose fruit is only about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long, almost oval shaped (hence the name) and much more aromatic than the typical long, bent banana varieties sold in most non-tropical countries. Kamphaeng Phet Province exports bananas worth 200 million baht each year.
The Ping River (Thai: แม่น้ำปิง)
Along with the River Nan, is one of two main tributaries of the Chao Phraya River.
It originates from Doi Thuai in the Daen Lao Range, in the Chiang Dao district of the Chiang Mai Province. After passing through Chiang Mai, it flows past the provinces of Kamphaeng Phet, Lamphun, and Tak.
At the confluence with the Nan River in Nakhon Sawan (also named Paknam Pho in Thai), it forms the Chao Phraya River.
Getting to Kamphaeng Phet
Travel by air
The closest international airports are Don Mueang (DMK) and Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK), 340 and 370 km from Kamphaeng Phet.
Flying to the regional airports of Sukhothai or Phitsanulok only makes sense if you rent a car there, or you are picked up. In the main, public transport from these airports to Kamphaeng Phet is very slow and inconvenient.
Travel by train
Kamphaeng Phet is not connected with any rail network. The closest train station is Phitsanulok, from which it's a nearly a three-hour bus journey to Kamphaeng Phet.
Travel by bus
The best way to get to Kamphaeng Phet is by bus. Buses from Chiang Mai and Bangkok's northern terminal (Mo Chit) arrive about every hour.
There are also some overnight connections. The ride from Bangkok takes 5-6 hours and costs 210 or 270 Thai Baht, depending on the class of the coach. Most buses traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Uttaradit, Mae Sot, Sawankhalok or Sukhothai stop at Kamphaeng Phet and can be used (ask at the ticket counter).
Non-AC regional buses from Phitsanulok run on the hour, from 5 am to 6 pm. Although only 100 km, they take almost three hours due to frequent stops and detours to villages along the way. A ticket costs 60 Thai Baht.
From Sukhothai, you can get on a bus towards Bangkok and hop off at Kamphaeng Phet (1.5-hours and costs around 70 Thai Baht.) Alternatively, you can take a minibus that departs when there are enough passengers; journey time is up to 2.5-hours and costs 70 Thai Baht.
The government-owned Transport Company's bus terminal used by most intercity buses is somewhat inconveniently located, about 2 km outside the city center (on the other bank of Ping River.) From there, irregularly running songthaews, tuk-tuks, and motorcycle taxis take you to the city center. Preferably, ask your hosts to arrange a pick up for you. Wintour buses traveling between Bangkok and Sukhothai stop at the Bodhi Tree close to the city center.
Travel by car (recommended)
Kamphaeng Phet is conveniently accessible via the Route 1 (Asian Highway 1), approximately halfway between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. It is a 4.5-hour drive from both cities. From Sukhothai, it takes just over an hour, from Phitsanulok 1.5-hours via decently paved roads.
Kamphaeng Phet, unfortunately, lacks an actual public transportation system. The city is not particularly well prepared for tourists. There are few regular taxis, and even tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis, or rickshaws are quite rare. Reddish-brown songthaews cruise throughout the city, between Big C shopping mall and the bus terminal. Their departure times are irregular.
Other songthaew lines travel to the surrounding province, departing either from the bus terminal or the day market in the city center. It can be a bit tricky to find out exactly where they are heading without speaking fluent Thai. They don't have exact departure times either but go whenever there are enough passengers for a particular destination.
To be more independent and be able to do excursions, it is recommended to arrive with a hire car (e.g., from Phitsanulok) or to rent a motorbike (e.g., at Three J Guesthouse or Praepimpalai Resort).
Travelling by foot or bicycle
Most distances within the city center can be reached on foot. Moreover, Kamphaeng Phet is relatively bicycle-friendly (compared to most Thai cities). While there aren't any designated bike paths, the traffic on the roads is reasonably minimal, and there are plenty of green areas.
To best explore the historical park, the bicycle is the ideal means of transportation: it is a bit too far to walk for most, while you can't see that much from the inside of a car.
Some guesthouses rent or lend out bikes to their guests. Another rental location is right at the entrance to the historical park (Khet Aranyik) - 30 Thai Baht per hour, mountain bikes for 50 Thai Baht.
UNESCO World Heritage - Historical Park
Wat Phra Kaeo, Kamphaeng Phet - Historical Park
Kamphaeng Phet's Historical Park of Buddha statues, old walls, temple ruins, and forts from the 14th - 16th centuries is part of the UNESCO - World Heritage and the town's main sight. It consists of three main parts.
Admission to either of the "inner district" or Khet Aranyik costs 100 Thai Baht each. A combined ticket for both areas is 150 Thai Baht. The sights of Nakhon Chum, walls, and forts can be accessed without purchasing a ticket. The zones that are fenced are open throughout the week from 08:00-18:00.
Khet Nai (Inner district)
The ruins of the ancient temple district of the old city of Cha Kang Rao, including Wat Phra That and Wat Phra Kaeo. The Wat Phra Kaeo Reclining Buddha is undoubtedly the most beautiful statue in the park and the best depiction of the Buddha's serene smile from the Sukhothai period. The zone is surrounded by five-meter high laterite walls and a 25-meter wide moat. Four of ten forts and gates are quite well-preserved and can be visited.
Ruins of Wat Sing - Khet Aranyik (Forest district)
Thailand's Buddhist clergy was divided into "town-monks" who studied, taught and performed ceremonies for the believers, and forest-monks who went into retreat, dedicated to meditation and asceticism. The more significant part of the historical park, covered with forest, consists of the hermitage ruins of the latter group. Thanks to the cooling canopy of leaves, it is enjoyable to visit on foot or by bicycle (they can be rented by at the main entrance). The main sites are Wat Chang Rop (with its impressive chedi which is surrounded by 68 elephant figures), Wat Phra Non (with a well-preserved chedi and remains of a Reclining Buddha figure), Wat Phra Si Iriyabot (the park's only surviving, 9 m high standing Buddha statue). Next to the main entrance is the park administration.
Mueang Nakhon Chum
Kamphaeng Phet / Cha Kang Rao's sister city is located on the opposite bank of the Ping River is older. Its fortification and temple ruins are unfortunately in a worse state of preservation. Unlike the site on the other bank, there is no actual park with a fence, cashier, and trim paths, but the ruins are dispersed naturally among the landscape, widely ignored by locals and tourists alike. The only historical temple that is still in use is Wat Phra Borommathat.
Kamphaeng Phet Temples (Wat)
Wat Khu Yang, Th. Wichit 1
An old temple in the town center whose history dates to the 16th-century. The present buildings date from the 1850s. Notable is the monastery's library, a traditional wooden house balanced on stilts amid a water ditch. The roof is covered with characteristic fish-scale shaped tiles. The Ubosot is beautiful to look at too, especially at dusk when the colorful glass elements of the elaborately decorated pediment shimmer.
Wat Phra Borommathat
(Thai: วัดพระบรมธาตุ) - Nakhon Chum
This temple is one of the oldest located in Kamphaeng Phet (its history dates back to around the 14th century) and the only ancient monastery in the historical park that is not in ruins but still active. Its most visible feature is the tall, gold covered pagoda in Burmese Mon style that can be seen from afar. Initially, the chedi was Sukhothai-style, but it was redesigned during a renovation from 1870 to 1907, sponsored by a wealthy timber merchant. The temples compound also hosts the Nakhon Chum cultural center in a traditional teak building, containing a collection of various antique objects, that however lack explanations in English.
Wat Sawang Arom - Nakhon Chum
(West of the Suan Mak canal, about 800 m off the Route 1/Asian Highway.
An old temple with a beautiful, three meters high, Chiang Saen-style Buddha statue in the "calling the earth to witness" posture.
Museums in Kamphaeng Phet
Kamphaeng Phet National Museum (Thai: พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติกำแพงเพชร) Phiphithaphanthasathan Haeng Chat
Exhibition of pottery and bronze sculptures from different periods of Thai art. The highlight is an early 16th century bronze Shiva statue. Its hands and head were cut off in 1886 by a German trader who attempted to smuggle them to Europe. Thankfully they were confiscated before he could send them abroad and were reunited with its torso. A replica was then made at the request of King Rama V, given to the German crown prince and it is now exhibited at the Berlin Museum of Asian Art.
Admission is100 Thai Baht.
Chaloemphrakiat Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานกำแพงเพชรเฉลิมพระเกียรติ, Phiphithaphanthasathan Kamphaeng Phet Chaloem Phrakiat
Also known as " The Thai House Museum," พิพิธภัณฑ์เรือนไทย, Phiphithaphan Ruean Thai)
Elegant replicas of traditional wooden Thai houses, hosting an exhibition about local and regional history and lifestyle.
10 Thai Baht; multimedia room 250 Thai Baht per group.
Next to the Thai House Museum, there is a banana orchard. Officially named the "The Centre for Collection of Banana Varieties" (ศูนย์รวมสายพันธุ์กล้วย), growing banana plants of more than 150 different varieties.
Out and about in Kamphaeng Phet
Stroll, jog or cycle along the palm-lined two waterside promenade on the bank of Ping River (Rim Ping, ริมปิง); enjoy a foot massage (200 Thai Baht per hour); relax at Sirichit Park (สิริจิตอุทยาน.) It offers free outdoor gym machines, a small children's swimming pool, tennis court and plenty of stalls selling snacks and refreshments. You can also cross the bridge to the quaint little island in the middle of the river (Ko Klang Maenam Ping, เกาะกลางแม่น้ำปิง).
Traditional Thai massage
Pa Phim (นวดแผนไทยโบราณ)
Rachavitee Rd 1 (200 m west of Three J Guesthouse, next to Suea Yim Coffee Club). The owner is an alumna of the famous Wat Pho massage school in Bangkok.
2 hrs for 200 Thai Baht.
Festivals / Regular events
Nop Phra Len Phleng festival - Makha Bucha, i.e., full moon in late February or early March, commemorated the donation of a Buddha relic to Nakhon Chum (a precursor of Kamphaeng Phet) by king Li Thai back in 1357.
An inscription which describes a procession in honor of this relic is one of the earliest documents of local history.
The tradition was revived back in 1983, and since then a popular pageant is held every year. The city gets decorated several days before.
Nop Phra means 'pay respect to the Buddha,' Len means 'play,' and Phleng is 'song.' This sums up the programme of the festival pretty well: apart from the religious parade (with attendees in historical costumes), various cultural performances such as plays and dances are staged.
Moreover, there is an impressive light and sound show in the historical park and a large-sized fair where regional products are sold.
Thai kite festival Cha Kang Rao
(February - March), traditional kite competition held at Sirichit Park.
Banana Festival
On for ten days around Sat Thai, i.e., a new moon in late September, promoting and celebrating the province's best-known product.
There are different contests and parades, including the selection of a banana queen, and obviously lots of opportunities to taste local bananas and krayasat (a local sweet made from puffed rice, toasted sesame, peanuts, and sugar.)
Loi Krathong
On the November full moon, like in most Thai cities the festival of lights in honor of the River Goddess gets celebrated in Kamphaeng Phet, too.
There is a vibrant parade with floats shaped like oversized Krathong (decorated floats made from banana plants and leaves), a competition for the most beautiful Krathong as well as the selection of a beauty queen and different cultural programmes. Most activities center around Sirichit Park on the banks of the Ping River.
Food fair and noodle festival (1 to 3 December), Noodle dishes are the favorite food of many of the local people, so an annual fair was established on this theme with numerous food stalls offering various local products around Sirichit Park.
Shopping in Kamphaeng Phet
Big C Supercenter
613/1 Charoensuk Rd
A shopping mall with a good variety of shops, system catering and a cinema.
Tesco Lotus
Bamrungrat Road Soi 4
Western-style supermarket with a small mall of a few individual shops and a KFC branch.
Local markets
Main daytime market (Between Thanon Bamrungrat and Wichit 2). A local market that sells fresh food and ready-to-eat dishes as well as craft products.
Talat Ton Pho
A small daytime market, Thesa Road 1 Soi 2 (Near the bodhi tree). Mainly food, including ready-to-eat dishes.
Night market / night bazaar
Between Sirichit and Thesa 1 Rds). Great variety of food, including ready-to-eat dishes.
7-Elevens
There are numerous 7-Elevens around the town, one of them next to the main roundabout (next to bodhi tree and clock tower).
Banana market
Tambon-Ang-Thong (On both sides of Highway 1 / Asian Highway, about 14km south of the town.)
Dozens of stalls selling fresh bananas (ripe and green), fried bananas, baked in honey, and rattan products.
Banks and ATMs
The city has branches of all the main Thai banks.
ATMs are also located at the bus terminal and Big C.
Eating out in Kamphaeng Phet
There are plenty of small restaurants, but only a few are geared towards foreign customers. English menus are quite rare.
The night market (starts 5 pm) is particularly good for cheap and varied food/ snacks, and countless stalls are serving ready to eat or made to order dishes. It is located on Tesa 1, between Soi 14 and Bamrungrat.
During the day Ton-Pho Market between Rachadamnoen and Tesa 1, first soi south from Kamphaengphet/ 101 is a good bet for food.
Another favorite meal is Mu-Kratha (หมูกระทะ), offered at several open air restaurants in town. Guests often arrive in groups and select different ingredients (mostly pork) from a buffet, then cook them on a small barbecue or a hot-pot at their tables (similar to a fondue or raclette meal).
While a few restaurants are open until around midnight most of the town shuts up pretty early on, between 8 pm and 9 pm; even the night market is winding down by this time. Bear this in mind when scheduling your dinner.
Eating out on a budget
Bami Chakangrao (บะหมี่ชากังราว)
Ratchadamnoen 1 Road (Sign only in Thai script, recognizable by the green shield and light-green awning.)
A simple, but popular restaurant, mainly serving yellow noodle dishes (e.g., with tom yum soup) and grilled pork skewers.
Kai Yang Phi Paeo (ไก่ย่างพี่แป๋ว)
Soi Ratchawithi 5 (Thai signage)
☎ +66 55 717413.
Daily, 08:00-17:00.
They offer delicious grilled chicken, som tam and other spicy Northeastern Thai dishes. There is an air-conditioned and a non-AC room.
Khrua Rim Khlong (ครัวริมคลอง)
Soi Suk Sakun, Nakhon Chum (Off Highway 1 to Tak; turn left to the by road at the Esso garage before the bridge, at the end of the road turn left again).
A rustic open-air restaurant in a garden by the riverside, mainly serving freshwater fish dishes.
Supha Phochana (สุภา โภชนา)
18-20 Soi 8 Ratchadamnoen 1 Road (Sign with golden Thai letters on a red background).
A simple, very popular restaurant for authentic Thai food. The specialty of the house is Tom Lueat Moo (soup with clotted pig blood).
Suphap Phat Thai Nakhon Chum (สุภาพผัดไทยนครชุม)
Nakhon Chum market located on the opposite side of the river.
A small restaurant and takeaway, supposedly making (according to locals) the best pad Thai.
Fourest
55 Ratchadamnoen 2 Road (At the south gate of Historical Park (Khet Aranyik), opposite Wat Phra Kaeo)
☎ +66 55 854907
Daily, 11:00 - 23:00
A restaurant and café with a large garden at the edge of Historical Park. Serves European bottled beers. Live music evenings.
Kitti Restaurant (กิตติโภชนา, Kitti Phochana)
287 Wichit 2 Road (Corner of Bamrungrat Road, round building with a glass door, Chinese lanterns, red sign with gold lettering)
☎ +66 55 711229, +66 55 713320
Daily, 09:00-22:00
A large and long-standing Chinese restaurant with a diverse selection of dishes. A little expensive.
Mae Ping Riverside (แม่ปิงริเวอร์ไซด์)
50/1 Moo 2, Nakhon Chum (Located on the opposite bank of the Ping River).
A large choice in dishes, mainly freshwater fish; draught beers; seats directly on the Ping riverbank with a beautiful view of the town. They frequently have live music playing in the evening.
Oasis Bar and Restaurant
143-3 Moo 10, Nakhon Chum (6 km outside the city center; 1.2 km off Highway 1 to Tak - signposted)
☎ +66 81 8947160
A German owner and chef; German and Thai dishes, burger, pizza, lasagne; various German beers; meeting place of Western expats.
Sathanee Steak (สถานีสเต็ก)
Ratchadamnoen 1 Road (Near night market and Navarat Hotel).
A quaint restaurant and café with antiques of Americas 1920s to '50s style. As the name implies, mostly steaks are served.
Tori Japanese Restaurant
168/9 Rat Ruam Chai Road (On the ring road surrounding the city center; recognizable by Japanese-style decoration and lettering)
Noon-14:00 and 16:00-21:00, closed Tuesdays.
A small Japanese restaurant, serving sushi, ramen and the like.
Fast-food and restaurant chains
There are branches of the usual fast-food and restaurant chains (KFC, MK, Pizza Company, etc.) at the Big C Super- center.
Drinking in Kamphaeng Phet
Cafés
Like most Thai towns with more than a handful of people, Kamphaeng Phet is overrun with cafes serving a wide range of espresso based beverages. Most also have a selection of cakes.
About Coffee by Dao
Vichit 1 Road
☎ +66 55 712095
08:00-23:00.
A cozy café with fresh coffee and espresso derivatives; free Wi-Fi. About halfway between the National Museum/Historical Park and downtown.
Coffee Mania
Charoensuk Road (Corner of Thesaban 1; on the right side of the yellow filling station).
A cozy, retro-styled café; offers espresso, cappuccino, frappes, etc. Owner speaks English.
Cake Pond (เค้กปอนด์)
(Located at the traffic circle near the clocktower (intersection of Tesa 1 Road and Kamphaengphet/101)
Opens 07:00
Bakery, coffee shop. Lots of loaves of bread, mini pizza and cake options at very reasonable prices. Two muffins for 30 baht, a tasty good deal. Air-con. Espresso 35 baht.
Coffee Today
(Intersection of Tesa 1 Road and Kamphaengphet Road. Near the clock and fountain).
A popular coffee shop. Cappuccinos are 50 baht, selection of sweet snacks and free Wi-Fi. Located on the street corner opposite the town's fountain.
There are three cafes on Wichien/Rachavitee. Starting from Rachadumnoen and heading towards 3J Guesthouse, just look out on the south side of the road.
Ba-Gan Tim
09:00-21:00
Identifiable by the cow sign next to the chalkboard.
Serves fresh cakes. Has Air-con. Espresso is 30 Thai Baht.
In Coffee
A small stall set up with just a couple of tables. Espresso 25 Thai Baht.
Coffee Club (เสือยิ้ม, Suea Yim)
200 m west of 3 J Guest House
08:00 - 18:00.
Comfortable sofas and some great coffees. They provide a free pot of green tea with each cup of coffee. Has A/C, free Wi-Fi, and serve cakes. Espresso 30 Thai Baht.
Vijit 2 has 2 cafes within 200 m heading south from Wichien. The first is in a bookshop (09:00-20:00, espresso, 30 Thai baht, air-con, free Wi-Fi).
The second is Sugar-Cane Coffee (espresso is 40 Thai baht, air-con, free Wi-Fi) about 50 m further on. Both cafes are located on the east side of the street and also serve cakes.
Kamphaeng Phet Nightlife
3 TIME Pub and Restaurant
4-6 Prachahansa Road
Daily, 18:00-02:00
A trendy bar (at least by the standards of a Thai provincial town), live music.
Banana Pub
A night club in the basement of Phet Hotel with a stage for live music and go-go dance.
Common Coffee
141 Thesa 1 Road (Next to Chakungrao Hotel)
Daily, 10:00-23:00
A small café and cocktail bar, a large variety of imported beer in bottles. Cocktails 129+ baht.
Eagle Pub
61 Bamrungrat Road (Corner of Charoensuk Soi 2).
Rong Tiam (โรงเตี๊๊ยม)
Thesa 1 Soi 9 (Alleyway between Thanon Thesa 1 and Ratchadamnoen 1; an old wooden house with red lanterns and Chang beer sign; nameplate is in Thai).
A cozy and relaxed pub; live music on some days, starting around 21:00.
Accommodation in Kamphaeng Phet - Guesthouses & hotels
Note that a few resorts are in Nakhon Chum, (the opposite bank of Ping River.) They may be cheaper, but you have to travel by car or bicycle (3 km on a not-so-idyllic road) to downtown.
3 J Guesthouse
79 Rachavitee Rd (About 2 km S of the city center)
☎ +66 55 713129
Check out: noon
A low cost, basic rooms (entirely adequate and clean), fan and shared bathroom or air-con and en-suite bathroom, enjoyable garden environment, cozy common room. A small range of food offered, bicycles and motorbikes (200 Thai baht a day) for hire. A family-run business, good spoken English, helpful advice about touring the town and ruins, organizes trekking and day trips with minivan and driver. Laundry service, pick up from the bus terminal or Bangkok airport by request. 1.5 km to the night market, 2 km to the historical park (central district).
250-500 Thai Baht.
Grandview Resort
34/4 Moo 2, Nakhon Chum (Located on the opposite side of the river)
☎ +66 55 721104
AC rooms 350 Thai Baht.
Techno Riverview Resort
27/27 Moo 2, Nakhon Chum (Located on the opposite side of the river)
☎ +66 55 799800
This is one of the largest and fanciest resorts on the bank of River Ping (59 rooms). Different room categories available, all clean and convenient with AC, en suite bathroom, cable TV, and fridge.
AC room with river view 500 Thai Baht.
Chakungrao Riverview Hotel
149 Thesa 1 Road
☎ +66 55 714900 4
The most prestigious hotel in the city (115 rooms on 6 floors), claims 4 stars (but only deserves 3 by international standards). All the rooms have AC, balcony, satellite TV, minibar, spa area, karaoke. Just a few steps to the riverside, Sirichit Park, 200 m to night market, under 2 km to historical park (central district).
1000 Thai Baht.
Navarat Heritage Hotel
2 Soi 21 Tesa 1 Road
☎ +66 55 711211
e-mail: info@navaratheritage.com
All rooms have AC, satellite TV, minibar. Bicycle hire is available. Directly located next to the night market, 100 m to Ping River bank, about 2 km to historical park (central district).
1,100 Thai Baht.
Phet Hotel, 189 Bamrungrat Road
☎ +66 55 712810-5
e-mail: rsvn@phethotel.com
A large hotel (155 rooms), large rooms (c. 33 sq.m) with AC, bathtub, cable TV, and minibar.
700 Thai Baht.
P. Paradise Hotel
58 Thesaban 2 Road Soi 1
☎ +66 81 3244002
e-mail: p.paradisehotel@outlook.co.th
A neat small resort (10 rooms), large rooms (32 sq. m) with Air-con, bathtub, veranda, DVD player, flatscreen TV, fridge, water kettle. Swimming pool, large garden with playground, café, and restaurant; free WiFi; karaoke, massage, laundry. Shuttle service available. 1.2 km to the night market, 2.5 km to the historical park (central district).
1,200 Thai Baht.
Praepimpalai Thai Spa and Resort
33/3 Moo 2, Nakhon Chum (Located on the opposite side of the river)
☎ +66 55 722411
e-mail: praepimpalairesortspa@gmail.com
A small, comfortable resort. Seven rooms positioned around a pool; spacious and cozy non-smoking rooms (36 sq.m) with Air-Con, patio/balcony, fridge/minibar; flatscreen TV, free Wi-Fi, free pickup at the bus terminal; bicycles, motorbikes and kayaks for hire. Sauna, massage, and spa treatments.
900 Thai Baht.
Scenic Riverside Resort
325/16 Tesa 2 Road
☎ +66 55 722009
e-mail: info@scenicriversideresort.com.
Relaxing place to stay, seven individually furnished units including a small "villa" with two bedrooms; all rooms with bathtub, Air-con, TV, DVD player, balcony or terrace, barbecue area; the resort has a large garden, pool, restaurant, free Wi-Fi and bicycles for rent. Lots of local information, close to the historical park.
1,500 Thai baht (incl. breakfast, more expensive on weekends and during high season).
Kamphaeng Phet Post Office
Thailand Post - Chakangrao Post Office
Location: Thanon Thesa 1 (300 m east of the Clock Tower/ Bodhi Tree roundabout).
Kamphaeng Phet Immigration Office (Februrary 2019)
Location: 154 Pin Damri Road,
Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kamphaeng Phet District Kamphaeng Phet Province 62000
☎ +66 (55) 712 209
Website: http://www.kamphaengphetimm.com/
Email: kamphaengphet.imm@gmail.com
Stunning Kamphaeng Phet National Park Waterfalls
Khlong Lan National Park
60km from Kamphaeng Phet
☎ (055) 766 022
Spread over 300 square kilometers located on the west side of Kamphaeng Phet, Khlong Lan National Park is best known for its breathtaking 100-meter-high waterfall.
Email: klonglan_np@hotmail.com
Website: http://nps.dnp.go.th/parksdetail.php?id=88&name=KhlongLanNationalPark
Admission: 200 Thai Baht
Mae Wong National Park
Location: 20 km south of Khlong Lan village
Daily: 08:00-16:00
☎ (081) 881 4729
A remote 895 square kilometers of pristine forest that stretches south into Nakhon Sawan province and west to the Tak Umphang district.
Mae Wong is well worth the effort if you want to get out into the wilderness. While the park includes several waterfalls, the very best require a two night, three day trek to reach.
Admission: 200 Thai Baht.
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