39 elephants
Round Wat Chang Lom's stupa.
Gary Todd — Public domain · This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่ — CC BY 4.0 · Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China — Public domain · ผู้สร้างสรรค์ผลงาน/ส่งข้อมูลเก็บในคลังข้อมูลเสรีวิกิมีเดียคอมมอนส์ - เทวประภาส มากคล้าย — Public domain · Gary Todd — Public domain
Sukhothai's twin city and seat of the viceroy in the kingdom's day, on the bank of the Yom River among wooded hills, part of the same UNESCO site. Its ruins see far fewer visitors than Sukhothai and are greener, so the temples seem freshly discovered among the trees. Its finest temple is Wat Chang Lom, a massive bell-shaped stupa whose base is ringed by thirty-nine sculpted elephants in rows, more complete than Sukhothai's. Facing it is Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, with seven rows of small stupas in varied styles, and a hilltop temple reached by stairs with a view over the city. Near the site are the old Sangkhalok ceramic kilns and a small museum about them. Foreigners pay about one hundred baht, and the site opens from eight in the morning until half past four in the afternoon; bicycles are for hire at the entrance, and distances between temples are shorter than at Sukhothai. The midday heat is fierce from March to May, so come early in the morning or late afternoon, with a hat and water. A half-day trip from Sukhothai, about an hour by car, and ideal for anyone wanting quiet after the main park's crowds.
Round Wat Chang Lom's stupa.
Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo's stupas.
Few visitors among the trees.
On the Yom River, about 55 km north of Old Sukhothai
Yes for lovers of ruins and quiet: greener, less crowded, with finer elephants. With only one day, stick to Sukhothai.