🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Uthai Thani sits about 220 km from Bangkok, roughly three and a half hours by car. It works as a day trip from the upper central plains, or an overnight if you want to get into the forest and wander the old town without rushing. What makes it stand out is the variety packed into a small area: in one day you can do temples, a mountain, and an old town without much driving between them.
Nature Worth Seeing at Least Once
If you come to Uthai Thani for nature, these three are the core: a strange sunken forest, a World Heritage wilderness, and a hilltop right in town with views all around.
Hub Pa Tad
A sinkhole forest enclosed by rock walls. You walk through a short cave passage and come out among dense fan palms and prehistoric-looking plants. Mid-morning, shafts of light drop straight in and it's genuinely beautiful. It's a conservation area, open roughly 08:30–16:30. The trail is short and easy enough for kids and older walkers.
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the most intact stretches of World Heritage forest in Thailand, with a nature trail and the grave of conservationist Seub Nakhasathien. Entry is about 20 THB for adults, 10 THB for kids, open roughly 06:30–15:30. It's a fair distance from town, so allow extra time and check the route before you go.
Khao Sakae Krang summit
A hill right in the middle of town. Climb the 449 steps to pay respects and take in 360-degree views over the river town. At the top, a pavilion houses a replica Buddha footprint. Late afternoon there's a cool breeze, and locals come up here regularly to make merit.
A quick tip
Hub Pa Tad looks best mid-morning, when the sun starts dropping into the hollow. Huai Kha Khaeng is far out and closes in the afternoon, so if you want both in one day, start at Huai Kha Khaeng early, then loop back to Hub Pa Tad and into town afterward.
Want more out of Uthai Thani? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Temples People Make the Trip For
Uthai Thani has temples that people drive in from all over the country to visit, Wat Tha Sung above all, which has become the province's main draw.
Wat Tha Sung (Wat Chantharam)
The temple of Luang Por Ruesi Ling Dam, on the bank of the Sakae Krang River, spread across more than 500 rai. What everyone comes to see is the Glass Hall (Wihan Kaeo), lined floor to ceiling with mirrored glass that sparkles across the whole room when the light hits. There's also the golden palace and the white ordination hall. You can easily spend a few hours here.
Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri
An old temple at the foot of Khao Sakae Krang, home to the revered Luang Por Phuttha Mongkhon Sak Sit. It's the starting point before you climb the steps to the summit, so you can pay respects and head straight up for the view.
Wat Ubosatharam
An old riverside temple in the old-town district, with ancient mural paintings and a quiet, calm feel. It's near the morning market and Trok Rong Ya, so you can walk to it straight from town.
The Old Town and Life Along the Sakae Krang
The other side of Uthai Thani's charm is a riverside old town that's still genuinely lived-in, not just a backdrop for photos. Get up early to walk the market, wander Trok Rong Ya, and cruise past the floating houses, all in one day.
- Trok Rong Ya — an old Chinese-community lane that was once a licensed opium den. You can wander past the old shophouses and see everyday local life any day, while the food-filled walking street really comes alive on Saturday evenings, roughly 15:00–21:00.
- Sakae Krang riverside morning market — a local market with stalls out from before dawn, selling fresh produce, vegetables, sweets, and river fish like the giant gourami the area is known for. Come early for the best atmosphere and the best food.
- Floating houses and Koh Thepho — a community that has lived on raft houses on the river since the old days, each one with a real house number. Take a boat or cycle around Koh Thepho to watch riverside life at an easy pace.
- Riverside Wat Ubosatharam — the link between the old town and the river. Pay respects, take in the old murals, then keep walking along the water.
Straight talk
The Trok Rong Ya walking street is only busy on Saturday evenings. Come on a weekday and you'll find a quiet lane with everyday local life, which has its own charm, just don't expect the shops to be fully open like they are on Saturdays.
How to Plan a Trip That's Worth It
Pick based on your energy and time. With one day, focus on the town and what's nearby. If you stay overnight, add the forest and Huai Kha Khaeng, which lie farther out.
Town + temples + Hub Pa Tad
Into the forest at Huai Kha Khaeng
Plan a full Uthai Thani trip and pick a riverside stay near the old town
See the Uthai Thani travel guide →