Wat Si Sawai
A distinctive temple with three Khmer-style laterite prang towers (later adapted for Buddhist use), reflecting the site's earlier Angkorian/Hindu roots before it became the Thai capital.
- Category
- Temples (Wat)
- Entrance fee
- Inside the Central Zone; covered by the ~200 THB foreigner Central Zone ticket as of 2026 (confirm locally).
- Hours
- Daily approx 06:30-19:30 (park hours). Confirm locally.
- Best time
- Late afternoon; the three prangs catch warm light and it is quieter than Wat Mahathat.
- Time needed
- 20-30 minutes.
About Wat Si Sawai
Wat Si Sawai looks different from everything else in the park, and that is exactly why it is worth your time. Its three Khmer-style laterite prang towers point back to the site's Angkorian and Hindu roots, from before Sukhothai became the Thai capital. They were later adapted for Buddhist use.
It sits in the southern part of the Central Zone, a short cycle from Wat Mahathat, so there is no reason not to add it on. The change in style is a nice break from the lotus-bud chedis elsewhere.
Late afternoon is the moment to catch it. The three prangs take on warm light and it stays quieter than the crowd magnet at Wat Mahathat down the road.
Highlights
- Three Khmer-style laterite prang towers
- Visible Angkorian and Hindu roots predating the Thai capital
- A distinct look from the rest of Sukhothai's temples
- Quiet, easy add-on within the Central Zone
- Warm light on the prangs in late afternoon
Tips
- Visit late afternoon for the best light and thinner crowds
- It is a short cycle from Wat Mahathat, so pair the two
- Covered by the same Central Zone ticket, no extra fee
- Twenty to thirty minutes is enough
How to get there
Southern part of the walled Central Zone, a short cycle from Wat Mahathat and the main gate. ~12 km from New Sukhothai by songthaew or tuk-tuk.