What is the best time of year to visit Phitsanulok?

December through March offer ideal conditions, with minimal rainfall (13–31mm monthly) and comfortable temperatures averaging 22.8–27.5°C. This dry season provides the clearest skies and most pleasant weather for exploring the city and surrounding areas. Avoid June through September when monsoon rains peak, with August exceeding 327mm of monthly precipitation.

How do I reach Phitsanulok from Bangkok?

Phitsanulok Airport (PHS) is located 28 kilometers from the city center and provides the most direct access from Bangkok. Alternatively, intercity buses and train services connect Bangkok to Phitsanulok, with bus travel typically taking 6–8 hours. The city also serves as a regional hub for onward travel to other northern provinces.

What is the climate like in Phitsanulok?

Phitsanulok experiences a tropical monsoon climate with warm temperatures year-round (22.8–28.7°C). The dry season from November to March features minimal rainfall, while the wet season from May to October brings significant precipitation, with August recording up to 327mm. April is the warmest month at 28.7°C average temperature.

Is Phitsanulok suitable for cultural tourism?

Yes, Phitsanulok has a rich cultural heritage as a historic city in northern Thailand and the provincial capital. The city and surrounding region contain significant temples and cultural sites reflecting its historical importance as a regional center along the Nan River. The city's role in Thai history makes it an appealing destination for culturally-focused travelers.

What nearby areas can be reached from Phitsanulok?

Phitsanulok's central location in northern Thailand makes it a gateway for exploring the broader region. The city is connected to surrounding provinces via road and rail, enabling visits to other northern destinations and cultural attractions throughout the northern region.

Phitsanulok: Northern Thailand's Historic River City

Phitsanulok is a city municipality in northern Thailand and the capital of Phitsanulok Province. With an urban population of approximately 200,000, it ranks as Thailand's 19th-most populous city proper and serves as one of the major urban centers in the northern region. The city occupies the fertile plains along the banks of the Nan River, which flows south to join the Chao Phraya River. Located at the geographic center of the province, Phitsanulok functions as a significant regional hub connecting northern Thailand to the central plains. The city experiences a tropical monsoon climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, with peak rainfall occurring from June to September when precipitation averages 220–327mm monthly. The driest months—December to February—average only 13–21mm of precipitation and provide the most comfortable conditions for travelers.

Updated 2026-05-03 · Source: GeoNames, Wikipedia

Image: Wikimedia Commons contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikipedia

Population: 200K
Climate: tropical monsoon
Best months: Jan–Mar, Dec

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Local currency

THB

Timezone

Asia/Bangkok

Phitsanulok: Northern Thailand's Historic River City: 16.917, 100.500Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

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Climate

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Monthly normals (10-year window). Bars show precipitation, lines show average and max temperature.

Best months to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec

What's around (within 10km, 8 POIs)

3
ATMs
3
Cafés
1
Temples
1
Restaurants

Nearest airports

OpenFlights.org

Phitsanulok Airport
Phitsanulok
PHS28km
Phetchabun Airport
Phetchabun
PHY79km

Quick facts

Phitsanulok has an urban population of approximately 200,000 residents, making it Thailand's 19th-most populous city.
The city is located at 16.92°N, 100.50°E in the fertile plains along the Nan River.
Phitsanulok experiences a tropical monsoon climate with January averaging 22.8°C and April peaking at 28.7°C.
August is the wettest month in Phitsanulok, with 327mm of precipitation and 28 rainy days.
December is the driest month, recording only 13mm of precipitation and 2 rainy days.
The dry season from December to March receives minimal precipitation, averaging 13–31mm monthly.
Phitsanulok Airport is located 28 kilometers from the city center.
Phetchabun Airport, an alternative access point, is situated 79 kilometers from Phitsanulok.
The Nan River flows south from Phitsanulok to join the Chao Phraya River.
March temperatures in Phitsanulok average 27.5°C with 31mm of rainfall and 6 rainy days.
The city serves as the capital of Phitsanulok Province and a major urban center in northern Thailand.
June marks the beginning of peak rainfall season, with 220mm of precipitation and 24 rainy days.
September precipitation reaches 314mm across 26 rainy days during the monsoon peak.
January and February offer the most comfortable visiting conditions with temperatures around 22–24°C.

Geography and Climate

Phitsanulok sits in the fertile plains of northern Thailand at coordinates 16.92°N, 100.50°E. The city's location along the Nan River has historically shaped its development and commerce. The region experiences a tropical monsoon climate with pronounced seasonal variation. Temperature remains warm year-round, averaging 22.8–28.7°C, with the warmest month occurring in April (28.7°C average). The wet season dominates from May to October, with August recording the highest rainfall at 327mm and 28 rainy days. The dry season from November to March receives minimal precipitation, with December the driest month at just 13mm.

Average temperature (coldest month): 22.8°C (January)
Average temperature (warmest month): 28.7°C (April)
Wettest month: August: 327mm, 28 rainy days
Driest month: December: 13mm, 2 rainy days

Population and Urban Profile

Phitsanulok city proper had a population of 60,827 according to recent census data, while the broader urban area encompasses approximately 200,000 residents, making it a significant regional population center. The city serves as the administrative and economic hub for Phitsanulok Province and functions as a gateway for travel between northern Thailand and the central plains region. Its role as a provincial capital and regional center reflects its historical importance as a trading hub along the Nan River.

City proper population: 60,827
Urban area population: Approximately 200,000
National city ranking: 19th-most populous city in Thailand
Primary river: Nan River

Getting There

Phitsanulok is served by Phitsanulok Airport (PHS), located 28 kilometers from the city center, offering the most direct access. For travelers requiring alternative routes, Phetchabun Airport (PHY) is situated 79 kilometers away. The city functions as a regional transportation hub connecting northern Thailand to Bangkok and other central regions via bus and rail services. The northern location provides access to surrounding provinces and cultural sites.

Nearest airport: Phitsanulok Airport (PHS), 28km
Secondary airport: Phetchabun Airport (PHY), 79km

Best Time to Visit

The optimal period for visiting Phitsanulok is the dry season from November to March, when rainfall is minimal and temperatures remain comfortable. December through February offer the most favorable conditions, with temperatures averaging 22.8–24.6°C and precipitation below 25mm monthly. March experiences slightly warmer conditions at 27.5°C but still maintains relatively low rainfall at 31mm. April marks the transition to the wet season and sees temperatures peak at 28.7°C before monsoon rains intensify. The wet season from May to October brings frequent rainfall and higher humidity, making travel less comfortable despite the green landscape.

Best months to visit: December, January, February, March
Dry season rainfall (Jan–Feb): 19–21mm monthly
Warmest month: April (28.7°C average)
Coolest month: January (22.8°C average)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time of year to visit Phitsanulok?: December through March offer ideal conditions, with minimal rainfall (13–31mm monthly) and comfortable temperatures averaging 22.8–27.5°C. This dry season provides the clearest skies and most pleasant weather for exploring the city and surrounding areas. Avoid June through September when monsoon rains peak, with August exceeding 327mm of monthly precipitation.
How do I reach Phitsanulok from Bangkok?: Phitsanulok Airport (PHS) is located 28 kilometers from the city center and provides the most direct access from Bangkok. Alternatively, intercity buses and train services connect Bangkok to Phitsanulok, with bus travel typically taking 6–8 hours. The city also serves as a regional hub for onward travel to other northern provinces.
What is the climate like in Phitsanulok?: Phitsanulok experiences a tropical monsoon climate with warm temperatures year-round (22.8–28.7°C). The dry season from November to March features minimal rainfall, while the wet season from May to October brings significant precipitation, with August recording up to 327mm. April is the warmest month at 28.7°C average temperature.
Is Phitsanulok suitable for cultural tourism?: Yes, Phitsanulok has a rich cultural heritage as a historic city in northern Thailand and the provincial capital. The city and surrounding region contain significant temples and cultural sites reflecting its historical importance as a regional center along the Nan River. The city's role in Thai history makes it an appealing destination for culturally-focused travelers.
What nearby areas can be reached from Phitsanulok?: Phitsanulok's central location in northern Thailand makes it a gateway for exploring the broader region. The city is connected to surrounding provinces via road and rail, enabling visits to other northern destinations and cultural attractions throughout the northern region.

More about Phitsanulok: Northern Thailand's Historic River City

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Sources & methodology

Geographic data from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Narrative sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and structured by Claude. Map by © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). See the methodology and sources registry for full attribution and update cadence.

This page last refreshed 2026-05-03.