There are plenty of wonderful cultural and natural attractions in Nakhon Si Thammarat but it is still not as well-known as other destinations in Southern Thailand and quite rarely visited by foreigners. Here's the list of top tourist attractions in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan or Wat Phra Mahathat is the most important temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat which located on Ratchadamnoen Road in Nai Mueang Sub-district. It is considered as a signature of all Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
Inside the temple, there are many buildings of high importance, such as the royal building from the Ayutthaya period and the Sam Chom building where the Buddha image attired in royal wardrobe Phra Si Thamma Sokarat is housed.
The focal point of the temple is a distinctive Sri Lankan style pagoda which is 55.78 metres high. The spire of the pagoda is entirely covered by pure gold.
In addition, the temple is also home to many ancient Buddha images.
The Fine Arts Department has declared Phra Mahathat Temple as an archaeological site, considered to be one of the most important sanctuaries in the south.
The City Wall
The City Wall is part of the old wall of Nakhon Si Thammarat which is located alongside Ratchadamnoen Road. The wall was renovated in the early Rattanakosin period and once again in 1990. The wall runs parallel with the city’s moat from Chai Nua Gate or Chai Sak Gate to the east for 100 metres.
Khanom Beach
The most beautiful natural attractions of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province are located in Khanom District. Khanom Beach is part of Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park. The highlight of this place is the sea with clear water and white sand beach with pine trees lining up along it. In addition, the waves in Khanom Beach are not too high so it is suitable for swimming in all seasons.
Khanom Beach is a long beach consisting of few connected beaches and bays:
- Hat Nai Phlao is Khanom's largest beach featuring clean water and white sand.
- Hat Na Dan is a long, palm-fringed white sand beach.
- Hat Nai Praetis a long curved beach between Hat Na Dan and Hat Nai Phlao which is rocky in some areas.
- Ao Thong Yi is a peaceful and remote place where you can escape and relax in natural surroundings.
Pink Dolphins in Khanom
The highlight of a trip to Khanom is getting to see the Pink Dolphins. The pinkish are caused by the color of the blood vessels that help to prevent the body from high temperature. The pink dolphins come to search for the food in many areas of Khanom district. A group of more than 50 pink dolphins live by the river mouth along the Khanom bay and their regular spot is around Ao Taled and Bann Leam Pratap. For seeing the pink dolphins, you can take a boat tour between March and October by boarding the boat at Ao Phao and Bann Leam Pratap. They are familiar with people and the sound of a long tail boat attracts them so usually there are high chances to meet these beautiful creatures.
For more information check: Pink Dolphins at Khanom Beach in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Khao Phlai Dam
Khao Phlai Dam is an eco-tourism attraction in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Khao Phlai Dam is a mountain near the sea in Khanom and Sichon Districts, about 86 km away from the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Khao Phlai Dam is a place where you will find peaceful nature with a spectacular landscape and wildlife sanctuary. There is a famous Khao Phlai Dam viewpoint offering fantastic views of Ao Thong Yao bay.
Pak Phanang Old Mill
Pak Phanang Old Mill is located in the area of Pak Phanang District, where used to be a large and prosperous rice business, with many factories sprung up. But over time, the rice growing and selling business in Pak Phanang district became sluggish and many rice mills were abandoned. People visit this place to see the chimney and ruins of the old mill covered with trees and their roots, similar to Ta Prohm Castle in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Pak Phanang Market
Pak Phanang Market is a vintage market in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The market is located on two banks of the canal, which is connected to the Pak Phanang River. One side of the market adheres to the walls of the prison and the other side to residential houses.
Pak Phanang 100 Years Market
Pak Phanang 100 Years Market is a traditional market which operates for more than 100 years. It is located in Pak Phanang town, on the eastern side of the pier along the river. The market is surrounded by a row of old wooden houses adjacent to each other which is the main attraction to the visitors. Most of the shops here sell local sweets and fresh seafood for an affordable price.
Krung Ching Waterfall
Krung Ching Waterfall is one of the most beautiful and famous waterfalls in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The waterfall is located in the area of Khao Luang National Park National Park, which is founded in Krung Ching Subdistrict. The name "Krung Ching" comes from the Ching Tree, which is a type of palm tree species. The area once was the site of a communist group, but it has now become a beautiful tourist destination. Krung Ching Waterfall is a 7-tiered waterfall that descends into different levels in the forest. There’s also a walking path to study the rich nature of the forest.
Baan Tan Khun
Baan Tan Khun is located on Ratchadamnoen Road near Wat Phra Mahathat, next to Tai Chi Coffee Shop. Baan Tan Khun is the home of Khun Ratthawutwijan, who was born in the year 2424 in Mueang District of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Baan Tan Khun is a one-storey building, raised under an open basement, aged over 108 years. The house preserves local architecture and is used as a private museum for non-profit learning.
Ban Nang Talung Suchart Subsin
'Nang Talung' is a popular and traditional art form in Southern Thailand and Mr. Suchart Subsin is a well-known shadow puppet performer and maker of Nakhon Si Thammarat City. Ban Nang Talung Suchart Subsin is a source of production and distribution of shadow puppets and films. This place is also divided into museum showing folk appliances and the International Shadow Puppet Museum.
Wat Wang Tawantok (West Palace Temple)
Wat Wang Tawantok was founded by Chao Phraya Nakhon (Noi) on a land opposite to Wang Tawan-ok (East Palace) where Chaochom Prang, his mother, once resided. Outstanding buildings, that are a fine example of Thai traditional architecture, still exist there. Wat Wang Tawantok comprises 3 wooden buildings built on high stilts with Pakon-Paneled partitions. The buildings are decorated with woodcarvings and fretwork in floral and geometric designs.
Giant Pagoda, Wat Phra Ngoen
The Giant Pagoda is located on the edge of Sri Prach Road beside Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipal Office. This is the second tallest pagoda in the city after chedi of Wat Phra Mahathat. In front of the chedi, there is a chapel enshrining a large Buddha statue from Ayutthaya period, called Phra Ngoen or Luang Pho Ngoen. The temple recently has improved the surrounding landscape and restored the pagoda by using original bricks.
Wat That Noi
Wat That Noi or Wat Phra That Noi is located in Lak Chang Sub-district. It was built by Pho Than Khlai Wajasit who is one of the most professed monks of Southern Thailand.
Kiriwong Village
Kiriwong Village is the area in Lana Saka District which is known as the area with the best ozone in Thailand. They even got Thailand Tourism Award for that. Kiriwong Village is a model community in the management of eco-tourism business. The highlight of Kiriwong Village is the idyllic natural scenery as it is located in the midst of the mountains, forest and river.
Little House in the Valley
The Little House in the Valley is located in Lana Saka District, not far from Kiriwong Village. It is the name of the cafe overlooking the valley and river flowing from the Khao Luang National Park. The place is decorated in loft style mixed with garden house style.
Laem Talumphuk
Laem Talumpuk in Pak Phanang District is known by most Thai people as tropical storm Harriet made landfall in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, causing a storm surge that wiped out villages in Laem Talumphuk in 1962. Laem Talumphuk is a 6 kilometers long white sand beach along the north-south coastline. At present, the area has many restaurants serving seafood for you to enjoy.
Tips
Although most people know Nakhon Si Thammarat but when talking about tourist attractions, very few people know that Nakhon Si Thammarat has many beautiful and unique places to visit. A rich and beautiful forest of Khao Luang, a sample development community of Khiriwong Village and numerous sources of art and culture can be found in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. If you will visit these places, you will absolutely love it.
For more information about the city and province check: Nakhon Si Thammarat Travel.