Phitsanulok, Thailand

Capital City

Forget the glossy tourism brochures - with a population of just 70,871, Phitsanulok is a sleepy provincial capital where the bureaucracy is a persistent headache and the tropical climate can be oppressive. The city's strategic location along the Nan River has made it an important historical center, home to the revered Phra Buddha Chinnarat and serving as a transportation hub for northern Thailand. However, the lack of major industry and amenities means this is a place better suited for those seeking a quieter pace of life, not ambitious expats looking to get ahead.