Bo Suak, nestled in the heart of rural Thailand, is a charming village surrounded by verdant paddy terraces and dense forests. The first Thai village to have received the UNWTO Best Tourism Village award in 2024, Bo Suak is popular for its centuries-old kiln and various historical artefacts unearthed in recent years. As you wander across this blissful hamlet, expect every shade of green imaginable in every direction you look, from emerald hues to shades of pistachio. Renowned for its handicrafts, including unique pottery and woven fabric, Bo Suak is the perfect place to visit if you want tranquillity and a tryst with nature. If you have been searching for such a place in Thailand, let us take you across the marvels of Bo Suak before you chalk out an itinerary.
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Bo Suak: Location and how to reach
Located in Northern Thailand, Bo Suak is a tranquil village in Nan province. The remains of ancient pottery kilns, archaeological sites, and an off-beat charm will make you fall in love with it, making it a remarkable place to escape the hustle and bustle of Thailand’s major cities.
By air: Nan Nakhon Airport is approximately 25 km away.
By train: Den Chai Railway Station is approximately 146 km away.
By road: Bo Suak is approximately 10 km from Nan and can be reached via hired tuks tuks or taxis.
The best time to visit Bo Suak
The best time to visit Bo Suak is from June to October when the lush countryside is at its greenest, and the chances of rainfall are pretty low. This is the best time to explore the village, from nearby attractions to on-site pottery-making experiences.
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Things to do in Bo Suak
Enroll in a pottery class
In Bo Suak, enrol yourself in a pottery-making class where you can recreate the elegant shapes and traditional motifs of the region’s famed ceramics. Local workshops host regular demonstrations and offer courses to those looking to learn the technique.
Pay a visit to the Bo Suak kiln site
The Bo Suak kilns were discovered in 1999, although their history can be traced back to the reign of Phraya Phonlathep Ruechai in 15 A.D. The kilns produced pottery for families and were marked with unique patterns depicting arrows and owls. The stunning glazed ceramics have been discovered at all burial sites and archaeological ruins across Northern Thailand.
Spend time at Huan Bansuak Saen-Chuen Museum
The beautiful wooden building of the Huan Bansuak Saen-Chuen Museum houses artefacts and ancient pottery fragments found at various sites across the village. Household tools, crude appliances, ancient stoves, idols from old temples, and other relics of the past can be found here, offering a better insight into how significant the pottery of Bo Suak used to be for the country.
Are museums your thing? Here’s a look at some of the best museums in Bangkok.
Opening hours: From 6:30 am to 2:30 pm on all days.
Tickets: NA
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Watch the locals practise traditional weaving techniques
Aiming to preserve traditional weaving techniques, artisans in Bo Suak still use age-old proven techniques. Expect a rare amalgamation here, with traditional methods and fabrics meeting unique and modern designs. Travellers can visit local workshops to see how the ancient art of weaving is helping empower local women while enhancing product quality and maintaining the identity of the products.
Luxuriate in herbal wellness treatments
Bo Suak offers various wellness treatments, from herbal compresses to medicines and cosmetics. Visitors can plan to spend a few days here and enjoy luxuriating all herbal and natural ingredients used to make the lotions, creams, essential oils, and soaps available here.
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Bo Suak local goods and cuisines
Bo Suak is home to many handicrafts, from handmade pottery to woven baskets to wellness products that use the region’s natural bounty. Sweets made from sugarcane juice, fresh-made sausages, local herbs, and leaf-wrapped herbal salad bites are some things you can buy in Bo Suak.
The cuisine of Northern Thailand consists of sausages made with locally sourced meat, chilli paste, and herbs. Other dishes visitors should try here include Mueang vermicelli spicy salad, Kare chicken curry, Ban Na Yum Yon Pormuang northern green chilli dip, and fried chicken with Makhwaen.
(Feature image credit: thailandtourismdirectory.go)
Related: 10 Of Thailand’s Best Waterfalls You Should Visit On Your Next Getaway
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Bo Suak Village is Thailand’s first-ever destination to be named one of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism.
UN Tourism selected three other villages in Southeast Asia, along with Thailand’s Bo Suak, as the Best Tourism Villages. The other three included Tra Que in Vietnam, and Jatiluwih and Wukirsari in Indonesia.
Yes, Bo Suak Village is suitable for a day trip especially if you already have your itinerary mapped out and bookings for classes and sightseeing made.
The best way to get to Bo Suak Village is via Nan. Since Bo Suak is a mere 10 km away from Nan, you can get here via Tuk-tuks and cabs.
The Kong Dee Bo Suak Festival is an annual festival in Bo Suak, which celebrates local culture and safeguarding it.
No, there are no entrance fees to visit Bo Suak Village or the ancient kilns.
Yes, Bo Suak is a family-friendly place.
Bo Suak is close to several other tourist attractions such as Doi Phu Kha National Park, Sapan Waterfall, Khun Nan National Park, and Si Satchanalai Historical Park.
Written By
Esha Dasgupta
Senior Digital Writer - Growth, TravelEsha is a traveller at heart, with a penchant for exploring the unchartered. She has previously worked ..Read More
