Kamphaeng Phet
Kamphaeng Phet (กำแพงเพชร) is a city in Lower Northern Thailand. It's part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns".
Understand
In the lower north of Thailand on the bank of the Ping River, Kamphaeng Phet is 358 km from Bangkok. To its east are riverine flatlands while the western areas are made up of high mountains lush with fertile forests where a number of national parks have been established.
Areas along the river bank at present-day city used to host several ancient towns which had played a major role as strategic front-lines since Sukhothai was the kingdom's capital down through the times of Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin (Bangkok) eras. In fact, the name Kamphaeng Phet actually means "walls or forts as strong as diamonds".
Get in
Get around
See
- 1 Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park, north of city (Walk north. Hard to miss.). 9AM-4PM. In former times Kamphaeng Phet was part of the Sukhothai kingdom. Ruins from this time are found to the immediate north of the new city. In 1991 these, along with the two related historical cities, became a world heritage site. 100 baht.
Do
- The hot springs of Phra Ruang, not far from the main town. Follow Hwy 101 north (towards Sukhothai) out of Kamphaeng Phet for 13 km, then turn left and 12 km up this road you'll come upon the springs.
Buy
- Kamphaeng Phet is famous for a small, round, sweet and aromatic banana variety called "egg bananas" (Thai: kluai khai).
Eat
The night market in Kamphaeng Phet is particularly good for cheap and varied eats. It's located on Tesa 1 between Bumrungrat and Soi 14.
During the day Ton Pho Market between Tesa 1 and Rachadumnoen, first soi south from Kamphaengphet/101 is a good bet for food.
While a handful of restaurants are open until around midnight much of the town shuts up pretty early, between 8PM and 9PM; even the night market is winding down by that time. Bear this in mind when planning your dinner.
Drink
Like any Thai town with more than a handful of people, Kamphaeng Phet has been overrun with cafes serving a wide range of espresso-based beverages. Most also have a selection of cakes.
- Cake Pound (เค้กปอนด์) (Intersection of Tesa 1 and Kamphaengphet/101). 7AM-?. Bakery, coffee shop. Lots of breads, mini pizzas and cake options at reasonable prices. Two muffins for 30 baht, tasty and a good deal. Air-con Espresso 35 baht.
- 1 Coffee Today, town centre (Intersection of Tesa 1 Rd and Kamphaengphet Rd. Look for the clock and the fountain). A popular coffee shop. Cappuccini at 50 baht, selection of sweet snacks, Wi-Fi. On the street corner opposite the town fountain.
There are at least three cafes on Wichien/Rachavitee. Starting from Rachadumnoen heading towards 3J Guesthouse, look on the south side of the road...
- Ba-Gan Tim. 9AM-9PM. Identifiable by the cute cow sign next to the chalk board. Serves cakes. Has A/C. espresso 30 baht.
- In Coffee. A small stall affair with only a couple of tables. espresso 25 baht.
- Coffee Club. 8AM-6PM. Comfortable sofas and some great coffee. They also provide a free pot of green tea with each cup of coffee. Has A/C and WiFi, and serves cakes. espresso 30 baht.
Vigit 2 has two cafes within 200 m heading south from Wichien, the first in a bookshop (9AM-8PM, espresso, 30 baht, air-con, free Wi-Fi) and the next, Sugar Cane Coffee (espresso, 40 baht, air-con, free Wi-Fi) about 50 m further on. Both are on the east side of the street and also serve cakes.
Sleep
- Riverside Scenic Resort, 325/16 Tesa 2 Rd, ☏ +66 55 722009. Relaxing place to stay. Lots of local info and near the old city. 1,500+ baht.
- 1 3 J Guesthouse, 79 Rachavitee Rd (About 2km S of city centre), ☏ +66 55 713129. Check-out: noon. Low cost, basic rooms (entirely adequate and clean), fan or air-con, very pleasant garden environment. Small range of food offered, motorbikes for hire (200 baht a day). Family-run business, good spoken English, helpful advice about touring the town and ruins. 250-500 baht.
Go next
| Routes through Kamphaeng Phet |
| Chiang Rai ← Tak ← | N  S
|
→ Nakhon Sawan → Bangkok |