Phitsanulok City Guide
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Thailand

Phitsanulok City Guide

Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok, in northern Thailand, is a historical city known for its rich culture. It's a peaceful place with affordable living and a strong local community feel. English isn't widely spoken, so knowing some basic Thai helps.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Try Pad Mee Korat and Kai Yang. Fresh river prawns and fish are local specialties. Some international food options exist, with increasing vegetarian options.

Local Dishes:
Pad Mee Korat, Kai Yang
International Cuisine:
Japanese, Korean, Western
Vegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Limited
5

Nightlife is modest with local pubs and karaoke bars. Mainly for local entertainment.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

A growing café scene with some specialty shops. Good for socializing and casual work.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tip in restaurants and for good service, but not mandatory.

Top Attractions
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat
Culture
Historic temple with the revered Phra Phuttha Chinnarat image.
Phitsanulok Night Bazaar
Market
Vibrant market with local food and crafts.
Sergeant Major Thavee Folk Museum
Museum
Shows local artifacts and history.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are easy to find at convenience stores and airports. AIS, TrueMove H, and dtac are reliable.

Available at:
7-Eleven
FamilyMart
True shop
AIS shop
dtac center
Recommended Apps
Grab(Transport & Food)
LINE(Communication)
Google Maps(Navigation)
Wongnai(Food & Drink)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
6

Cleanliness is moderate; tourist areas are cleaner while local markets may not be as clean.

24/7 Services
Good
6

Some 24/7 convenience stores and late-night food. Limited late pharmacies.

Groceries
Big C
Lotus's
Makro

Supermarkets like Big C and Lotus's offer international products, though limited. Local fresh markets are great for produce.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Cards are accepted in big stores, but small vendors prefer cash. PromptPay is popular for mobile payments.

ATMs

ATMs are common in banks, malls, and convenience stores. Expect a 220 THB fee for international cards.

Schools
Local only

Local schools primarily teach in Thai with limited international options.

Available Schools:
Naresuan University Demonstration School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Local Café near Naresuan University
Equipped with Wi-Fi, good for work sessions.
Alternatives:
Naresuan University Library
Quiet space with Wi-Fi for working.
Hotel lobbies
Some hotels offer quiet work areas.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

Very small nomad scene, with limited meetups and spaces.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Nice parks like Bueng Ratchanok provide good green space for activities.

Running
Good
7

Popular running spots include Bueng Ratchanok Park with safe areas, though air quality can be an issue during burning season.

Gyms
Available

Gyms are present and several parks have outdoor fitness areas.

Available Gyms:
Phitsanulok Fitness
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis courts are found at sports complexes and universities.

Padel
Poor
0

Padel is not found here.

Yoga
Limited
5

Yoga classes are available but may not cater to English speakers.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Muay Thai is popular; other martial arts like Taekwondo have local clubs.

Skiing
Poor
0

Skiing is not available as it's a tropical area.

Water Sports
Poor
2

Some kayaking and paddleboarding on the Nan River. Rentals are limited.

Surfing
Poor
0

Surfing is not an option here.

Diving
Poor
0

Diving isn't possible; Phitsanulok is inland.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
7

Phitsanulok Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Phitsanulok are key facilities. The latter offers English-speaking services.

Hospitals:
Phitsanulok Hospital
Bangkok Hospital Phitsanulok
Pharmacies:
Watsons
Boots
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Tap water isn't safe to drink. Stick to bottled water.

Common Scams
Inflated taxi fares, Gem scams, Unsolicited offers

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
6

Some playgrounds and kid-friendly cafés. Attractions include the local aquarium and temples.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
7

General tolerance exists, but it's a conservative area compared to bigger cities.

Pet Friendly
Limited
5

Pet services exist, but park policies vary. Check accommodation rules for pets.

Communities
Phitsanulok Expats (Social)
Phitsanulok Community (Social)

Quick Facts

Population
70,871
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is stable with rare, brief outages.

Mountains
Available

Nearby Phetchabun Mountains offer hiking. Phu Hin Rong Kla is a popular spot.

Languages
Thai(100%)
English(15%)
Emergency
191
Police
1155
Tourist Police
1669
Ambulance/Medical Emergency
199
Fire

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Smoke/haze
February, March, April
Linked to agricultural burning.
Flooding
May, June, July, August, September, October
Occurs during the rainy season.
Extreme heat
March, April, May
Temperatures can rise above 35°C.

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