Nakhon Pathom is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, located in Central Thailand, just 50 km west of Bangkok. The city is famous for its giant Phra Pathom Chedi, which is one of the tallest in the world. Planning a trip to Nakhon Pathom in Thailand? This detailed Nakhon Pathom travel guide with tips will help you discover the city and its best things to do.
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Things to do in Nakhon Pathom
Discover the best things to do in Nakhon Pathom below.
Phra Pathom Chedi
The most famous landmark of Nakhon Pathom that dominates the town center is Phra Pathom Chedi, the biggest chedi in Thailand and one of the tallest stupas in the world. The chedi is located in the premises of the royal Wat Phra Pathom Chedi temple.
The new 120.5-meter-high bell-shaped chedi was built to cover the old chedi. There’s a Buddha’s relic enshrined inside of it. The main Buddha image of the temple is a standing Buddha called Phra Ruang Rodjanarith.
Sanam Chandra Palace
Another famous attraction of Nakhon Pathom is Sanam Chandra Palace. The palace complex is located about 2 kilometers west of Phra Pathom Chedi. Sanam Chandra Palace covers an area of about 355 acres. There’s a big court in the middle of the palace complex that is surrounded by roads and water canals. There are a number of beautiful buildings located in the Sanam Chan Palace complex.
Talad Bon - Talad Lang
Fresh markets of Nakhon Pathom, locally known as Talad Bon–Talad Lang, are located on two opposite sides of the front road to the north of Phra Pathom Chedi. These markets are the old fresh markets that have been serving the city’s community for 120 years. You can find many local delicacies at this market.
The names of the markets, Talad Bon and Talad Lang, were derived from a spacious market that can be separated into 2 markets by Soi Klang (Middle Road). The right side of the road has been called “Talad Bon” or Up the Road Market, while the left side is called “Talad Lang” or Down the Road Market.
Dragon Temple (Wat Samphran)
Wat Samphran is a striking Buddhist temple, also known as Dragon Temple, famous for its towering pink pagoda wrapped by a giant dragon, blending spirituality with stunning architecture.
The temple is located out of town, and the easiest way to visit is by taking a taxi from Bangkok or by visiting it as part of the tour to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Dragon Temple, and Na Satta Museum, which takes you to discover vibrant markets, unique temples, and rich history.
Wat Bang Phra
Wat Bang Phra, the temple well-known for administering holy tattoos or Sak Yants, is also located in Nakhon Pathom province. At this temple you can get a holy tattoo and blessing from a Buddhist monk or certified tattoo master. This tradition of tattooing dates back hundreds of years. This experience is truly unique in Thailand, as the monks are only giving a holy tattoo and blessings to a very few number of people per day.
By choosing this Holy Tattoo Experience at Wat Bang Phra from Bangkok, you will be guided by an English speaking guide who will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in downtown Bangkok with an air-conditioned vehicle. The guide will explain to you the details of the ceremony along the way and make sure that everything goes smoothly.
Where to stay in Nakhon Pathom
The best place to stay in Nakhon Pathom is the center of the city.
Some of the best accommodations in the city:
Hop Inn Nakhon Pathom - hotel conveniently located close to Wat Phra Pathom, Sanam Chan Palace, and the train station.
Xen Hotel Nakhon Pathom - hotel well located in the heart of the city’s main Rachamanka and Petchkasem Road.
The Proud Exclusive Hotel - modern boutique hotel in the heart of the city, where you can experience complete relaxation.
To get the best deal on accommodation, make sure to compare hotel deals on Booking.com with often better special offers on Agoda.
How to get to Nakhon Pathom
You can reach the city of the giant chedi from Bangkok by tour, private car, train, or bus.
Tour from Bangkok
To visit the most important attractions in the city, you can take a tour from Bangkok.
By choosing this Nakhon Pathom Private Tour from Bangkok, you will visit the temple housing the country’s largest pagoda, Wat Samphran temple with a giant dragon tower combining Chinese and Thai art, a Maldives-inspired cafe named Bubble in the Forest, a coconut farm, and more.
Train to Nakhon Pathom
Taking one of 2 ordinary and commuter trains from Hua Lamphong Railway Station can be the cheapest option for reaching Nakhon Pathom from Bangkok. More ordinary and commuter trains depart from Thonburi Railway Station.
Southern line rapid and express trains departing from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal station also make a stop in the city. These trains are faster and more comfortable.
Train tickets for these trains can be booked online here: Train from Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom.
Depending on the type of train, the journey takes around 1 to 1.5 hours.
You can just make a half-day stopover here and then continue your journey to Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, or further down south to Surat Thani and other destinations in Southern Thailand.
Bus to Nakhon Pathom
Buses to Nakhon Pathom leave Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal many times a day, and it takes about one hour to get there depending on traffic.
There are also minibuses departing from Mochit New Van Terminal.
Minibus tickets can be booked online here: Minibus from Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom.
Other transportation options
More transportation options for a trip can be found, and transport tickets can be booked by this search form.
Weather in Nakhon Pathom
In Nakhon Pathom, the seasons are clearly defined. Between November and May, the weather is mostly dry with little rain expected throughout the region for much of this time. The dry season here is broken up into the periods of cool season (November to February) and hot season (March to May), when it is not unusual for the temperature to reach even 40°C.
The wet season in the area is from May to November. The rain usually comes in the form of short showers, lasting an hour or two. As the rainy season progresses, the rain can become heavier and more constant, traditionally reaching peak levels in August and September.
For the best time to visit Nakhon Pathom, check the weather ratings chart.
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After visiting Nakhon Pathom, are you planning to continue your trip up north or down south? Check when is the best time to visit Thailand's other destinations and choose destinations with the best possible weather conditions wisely.
Destinations after Nakhon Pathom
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and the largest city in the country, with tons of things to do and see, so you can easily spend days or weeks there and not get bored.
Kanchanaburi is known for its WWII history and beautiful nature, while Ayutthaya is an important historical site with ancient temple ruins.
The nearest famous seaside resort town, Hua Hin, is a well-developed beach destination that can be easily reached by train.
