Southern Thailand NAKHON SI THAMMARAT
Nakhon Si Thammarat, the second largest province of the South and the land of predominant Buddhism during the Srivijaya Period, is 780 kilometres from Bangkok. It occupies an area of 9,942 square kilometres consisting of high plateau and mountains in the west then sloping down towards the east and becoming a basin along the coastline of the Gulf of Thailand.
In addition to its great history, Nakhon Si Thammarat boasts pristine verdant jungles abundant with luxuriant vegetation and is also noted for picturesque beaches and beautiful waterfalls.
Arts and Culture Centre of Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat Institute
Arts and Culture Centre of Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat Institute is 13 kilometres from the city on the Nakhon Si Thammarat-Phrom Khiri Road (Highway No. 4016). It is the centre of information on archaeological sites discovered in the province. On display are ancient local tools and utensils from the establishment of the community to the Srivijaya Empire. The centre also preserves and revives local entertainment, as well as researches and collects works on languages, literature and anthropology. The most important artifacts here are the stone inscriptions found at Khao Chong Khoi and artifacts from the ancient community at Wat Mok Lan. These vital evidences relate when Nakhon Si Thammarat was built. The centre is open daily during official hours.
Bang Pu
Bang Pu is 17 kilometres from the city and is at the Bang Pu intersection. This is where quality pottery is made. Only bricks and flowerpots used to be made here, but villagers from Ban Mok Lan have now set up stores selling their handicrafts in this area. The products on sale have been improved in variety and quality for greater marketing appeal.
Chedi Yak
Chedi Yak is the province’s second tallest pagoda, after Phra Borom That pagoda. It is located near Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipality in the abandoned Wat Chedi area. It is said that the pagoda was built by Khotkhiri, a wealthy Mon, and his employees when they took refuge in the city in 1003.
Chinese buildings at Wat Pradu and Wat Chaeng
Chinese buildings at Wat Pradu and Wat Chaeng is on Ratchadamnoen Road near the provincial stadium. Built in the early Rattanakosin period, they house the ashes of Phraya Nakhon and is believed to also have the ashes of King Taksin the Great.
City wall
City wall is alongside Ratchadamnoen Road. The wall was renovated in the early Rattanakosin period and once more in 1990. The wall runs parallel with the city moat from Chai Nua Gate or Chai Sak Gate to the east for 100 metres.
Ho Phra Isuan
Ho Phra Isuan is on Ratchadamnoen Road. It is a historical site of the Brahman religion. On display is the Shiva Linga , the symbol of the Brahman god Shiva. There are also several bronze images, such as the Siwa Nattarat image, Phra Uma and Phra Phikkhanet. The bronze images in this hall are replicas of the real images that are in Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum.
Ho Phra Narai
Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum
Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum occupies the area of the former Wat Suan Luang Tawan Ok. The museum was opened in 1974 and displays artifacts found in the 4 southern provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, and Chumphon. Of interest are the local handicrafts display room. The national library building opened to the public in 1976. There is a good collection of rare books and important books sent by the National Library in Bangkok for locals to study.
Phra Phutthasihing
Phra Phutthasihing is housed in the Phra Phuttha Sihing hall near the Provincial Hall. This sacred image was believed to have been ordered by the king of Lanka in 157 AD and was brought to Thailand during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great. There are currently 3 similar images in Thailand. One is housed at the National Museum in Bangkok, another at Wat Phra Sing in Chiang Mai and this image in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The hall housing the image was originally the Buddha image hall of the palace of Chao Phraya Nakhon (Noi). The hall is divided into 2 parts; the front portion houses Phra Phuttha Sihing, Phra Lak Ngoen and Phra Lak Thong and the back portion houses the ashes of the ancestors of the Na Nakhon family.
Phra Wihan Sung
Phra Wihan Sung, or Ho Phra Sung, is an important historical site located just outside the ancient city wall to the north in the area of Sanam Na Muang, on Ratchadamnoen Road. The site is so called because of its high location on a hill, 2.10 metres above level ground. There is no exact historical evidence but it is believed that its architecture and wall murals are from the early Rattanakosin period. The building houses plaster images with a thick, clay core. The images are either from the 18th-19th century or from the late Ayutthaya period.
Residence of Ok Ya Sena Phimuk (Yamada Nagamasa)
Residence of Ok Ya Sena Phimuk (Yamada Nagamasa) Yamada Nagamasa was a Japanese volunteer soldier who lived in the Ayutthaya period during the reign of King Songtham. For his many contributions to the palace, he was rewarded by being bestowed the title of Ok Ya Sena Phimuk and appointed lord of Nakhon Si Thammarat in 1629. Traces of his home are still visible in the area of the Thai restaurant on Nang Ngam Road (beside the provincial hall).
Shadow play house of Suchat Sapsin
Shadow play house of Suchat Sapsin is at 10/18 Si Thammasok Road, Soi 3. Suchat Sapsin received the 1996 Thailand Tourism Awards for the best cultural and historical site. The house has a shadow play museum, shadow play-making demonstrations and complete performances. Visitors can appreciate this fascinating art by calling tel. demonstrations and complete performances. Visitors can appreciate this fascinating art by calling tel. 0 7534 6394.
Somdet Phra Sri Nakharin 84 Park
Somdet Phra Sri Nakharin 84 Park is a large park with an area of over 490.23 acres. It is just behind the provincial stadium. Originally part of Ratcharudi Park during the time of King Rama V, the park has an open zoo, a bird park, a health park, and a lake which is home to waterfowls that migrate here during January to March every year.
The Thai-style monks’ residence of Wat Wang Tawan Tok
The Thai-style monks’ residence of Wat Wang Tawan Tok is on Ratchadamnoen Road, in the area said to be opposite Wang Tawan Ok (Eastern Palace), the retreat of Chao Chom Prang. Formerly a park, Chao Phraya Nakhon (Noi) donated Wang Tawan Ok and the park opposite it to a temple, now known as Wat Wang Tawan Tok(Western Palace Temple). In 1888, Phra Khru Kachat (Yong) and his disciples built a group of houses for monks. The 3 houses have a pointed roof connected to the other and there are exquisite Nakhon Si Thammarat designs on the walls, doors, windows, and vents. The Siam Architects Society named these houses the best conservation effort in the area of historical sites and temples in 1992.
Wat Chai Na Meditation Centre
Wat Chai Na Meditation Centre is on Phatthanakan Thung Prang Road. Meditation courses are held for Thais and foreigners. The famous monk Phutthathat Bhikkhu established the centre as a branch of his monastery in Surat Thani. The centre is peaceful with an abundance of shady trees.
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is located on Ratchadamnoen Road in Tambon Nai Mueang. This is a royal temple of the first class. Formerly named Wat Phra Borom That, this is one of the most important historical sites in southern Thailand and in all of Thailand. According to the legend of Phra Borom That Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prince Thanakuman and Queen Hem Chala brought Buddha relics to Hat Sai Kaeo and built a small pagoda to mark the location. Later on, King Si-Thamma Sokarat established the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat and built a new pagoda. The present pagoda has a distinctive Sri Lankan style, measuring 55.78 metres high (measured by the Fine Arts Department during the renovation of the gold top in 1995). The height from the lotus base to the gold top is 6.80 metres. The top is entirely covered by pure gold. Inside the temple are many buildings of importance, especially the royal building which has beautiful architecture from the Ayutthaya period and the Sam Chom building where the Buddha image attired in royal wardrobe, Phra Si Thamma Sokarat , is housed. There are also the Phra Maha Phinetkrom (the equestrian image) building and the Thap Kaset building, while the Khian and Pho Lanka buildings are used to display artifacts that were donated to the temple by Buddhists.
Wirathai Monument
Wirathai Monument is made of blackened copper. The monument features a soldier in a ready to fight stance with a bayonet. The locals call this monument Cha Dam or Chao Pho Dam. It was erected to honor Thai soldiers in southern Thailand who died fighting an invading Japanese force in World War II on December 8, 1941. The monument is on Ratchadamnoen Road in Fort Vajiravudh, the headquarters of the Fourth Region Army. The fort compound itself has conference rooms, guesthouses, a golf course, a shooting range, and a souvenir shop.
Hae Pha Khuen That Festival is celebrated at Phra Borom That Chedi. The pagoda is considered to be the representative of Lord Buddha and is believed by locals to possess unsurpassed might of righteousness as it contains holy relics. Every year Buddhists pay homage to the pagoda by organizing a procession bearing a religious cloth to wrap around the pagoda to bring good fortune and success. This festival is held twice a year during Makha Bucha Day (the 15th full-moon night of February) and Visakha Bucha Day (the 15th full-moon night of May).
Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month is a grand event of the province and of southern Thailand. This festival is held from the 1st waning-moon night to the 15th waning-moon night every September. It is held to pay respect to deceased ancestors. According to Buddhism beliefs, the dead had many sins and was sent to hell to become a demon. The demons are allowed to come up to meet their relatives for 15 days in September, but must return to hell before sunrise of the 15th day. The living try to appease the spirits by taking food to temples to make merit. Beginning on the 13th day, people will go shopping for food to be given. The 14th day is spent preparing and decorating the food tray, and the 15th day is the actual merit-making day. The tray presented nowadays has elaborate designs but still retains traditional components. Contests to find the most beautiful tray are held. A magnificent procession proceeds along Ratchadamnoen Road on the 14th day.
Chak Phra or Lak Phra Festival is influenced by Indian culture, which expanded into the province a long time ago. The festival signifies the joy that people had when Lord Buddha returned from a star and the Lord was invited to sit on a throne and carried to a palace. In practice, locals would bear a Buddha image holding a bowl in a procession around the city. This is a great way for escape from daily routine and it is a fun competition to find who is the most religious. Held in October, the festival is preceded by activities 7 days before, such as beating drums, playing castanets and decorating the ceremonial throne for the image. The actual ceremony is usually held only on the last day of the Buddhist Lent. People would take the image from the temple in the morning and proceed to Benchama Rachuthit School in Amphoe Muang. This is also done in front of Ron Phibun district office. In addition, there is a water-borne procession on Pak Phanang River in Pak Phanang, which coincides with an annual boat race for a trophy from the Crown Princess.
North Borders Surat Thani and Gulf of Thailand
South Borders Phatthalung and Songkhla
East Borders Gulf of Thailand
West Borders Trang and Krabi
Distances from Amphoe Muang to Other Districts :
Pak Phanang 36 kilometres
Cha-uat 71 kilometres
Chian Yai 52 kilometres
Hua Sai 66 kilometres
Chaloem Phra Kiat 22 kilometres
Ron Phibun 32 kilometres
Chulabhorn 50 kilometres
Bang Khan 94 kilometres
Chawang 71 kilometres
Tha Sala 32 kilometres
Sichon 66 kilometres
Khanom 100 kilometres
Phrom Khiri 21 kilometres
Lan Saka 21 kilometres
Phipun 93 kilometres
Thung Song 55 kilometres
Thung Yai 102 kilometres
Tham Phannara 107 kilometres
Chang Klang 50 kilometres
Nopphitam 50 kilometres
Distances from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Nearby Provinces :
Surat Thani 134 kilometres
Trang 123 kilometres
Phatthalung 112 kilometres
Songkhla 161 kilometres
Krabi 233 kilometres
Phuket 366 kilometres
Car
Take Highway No. 4 on the Bangkok-Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon route and then Highway No. 41 past Surat Thani-Thung Song until arriving in Nakhon Si Thammarat or Amphoe Phun Phin in Surat Thani, then take Highway No. 401 along the coast to Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Bus
Regular and air-conditioned buses of the Transport Co. and private companies depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal. The trip takes about 12 hours. Air-conditioned buses, varying in 3 types, leave Bangkok at the following times:
VIP Bus: 5.15 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Standard 1 Bus: 9 a.m., 6 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.
Standard 2 Bus: 6.40 a.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
For more information, contact tel. 0 2435 1199-200 (air-conditioned buses). Nakhon Si Thammarat Bus Staiton tel: 0 7534 1125.
Travel within the province is easy with mini-bus service around the city. Transport to nearby provinces includes vans, taxis, buses, and trains.
Train
There are rapid and express trains departing from Bangkok Railway Station to Nakhon Si Thammarat at 5.35 p.m. and 7.15 p.m. respectively. For more information, contact tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or call Nakhon Si Thammarat train station at tel. 0 7535 6364, 0 7534 6129.
Air
PBAir provides daily flight services from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0-2261-0220 – 5.
Thai Airways has daily flights connecting Bangkok with Nakhon Si Thammarat. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000, the Nakhon Si Thammarat Office at tel. 0 7534 2491, 0 7534 3874, or view their website at www.thaiairways.com.
Nielloware
Nielloware is a famous craft of the province and is well known since the old days. There are two types; black surface with white designs and black surface with gold designs. The Nakhon Si Thammarat College of Arts and Handicrafts teaches this craft. Nielloware of this province is popular for its durability and intricate designs by hand. The finished product is a bright, shiny black object with beautiful patterns. Items include rings, necklaces, bracelets, bowls, pedestals, and trays. The best shopping area is Tha Chang Road, behind Sanam Na Mueang in the area of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipality, and the Tha Wang market area.
Brassware
Brassware can be found at the Suan Maphrao Thai-Muslim village behind Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan. The only brassware product now available is a cylinder for making noodles.
Necklaces
Necklaces have long been the work of local silversmiths who can create gold, silver and mixed (gold, silver and an alloy) necklaces. The centre is at Tha Chang Road behind Sanam Na Mueang.
Shadow play
Shadow play making is an art that goes with the popular southern entertainment of shadow play. Thai shadow play figures have been transformed from those found in Java so that they are now very Thai. The hands and feet of the figures are fully movable during performances. The hide used can be either raw cow or goat hide. Designs are made by using chisels of various sizes to make small holes along drawn patterns. The price of each figure varies according to the delicateness and size of each one. Shadow play figures are now important products of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung. Nakhon Si Thammarat city, in particular, has plenty of shops selling this unique product.
Yan Liphao basketry
Yan Liphao basketry is another famous product of the South, particularly in Nakhon Si Thammarat where people have been making it for over 100 years. Yan Liphao is a climbing plant that grows in damp places. It likes to exist among other plants. The trunk is very tough and durable, so locals found a way to make good use of it by making household goods such as handbags, tobacco boxes, tea utensils, etc. Some pieces are encased in silver alloy, gold alloy or gold. It takes around 10 days to a month to make one item, depending on the details of the design. The major Yan Liphao production spots are Ban Mon, Tambon Tha Rua and Ban Na Khian, Tambon Na Khian, both in Amphoe Mueang, and families in Fort Vajiravudh.
Kapho fans
Kapho fans are made from a kind of palm called Ton Pho by locals. The villagers of Ban Khok Yang in Ron Phibun use their spare time to make the fans. The leaves are dried and then woven into fans. Some are dyed into bright colors and sold at reasonable prices. Kapho fans are well known and sold throughout the country. Fans in Nakhon Si Thammarat can be bought at stores at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, souvenir shops on Tha Chang Road and in Bowon Bazaar in the Tha Wang market area.
SOUVENIR SHOPS
The souvenirs of Nakhon Si Thammarat include silverware, brassware, nielloware, and Yan Liphao basketry. They can be purchased from stores in the area of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, behind Sanam Na Mueang, Tha Chang Road, Tha Wang area, Burapha Plaza, Bowon Bazaar, Robinson Ocean Department Store, Twin Lotus Hotel, etc.
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