Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan

Phra Phuttha Sihing
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 which are at the National Museum in Bangkok, Wat Phra Sing in Chiang Mai and this image in Nakhon Si Thammarat 

Ho Phra Isuan
is on Ratchadamnoen Road.  It is a historical site of the Brahman religion.  It has on display the Shiva Linga which is the symbol of Shiva, the Brahman god.  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
is also on Ratchadamnoen Road and another Brahman place of worship opposite Ho Phra Isuan.  The original structure and design of this hall are unknown.  However, a gray sandstone image of the god Narai wearing a hat and holding a conch in the right hand was discovered in the hall.  It is estimated that it dates from the 11th-12th Buddhist century.  This image is now in the National Museum in town.  The only artifact on display in the hall is a replica of the Narai image discovered at an archaeological dig in Amphoe Si Chon. 

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 meters 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 fat clay core.  The images are either from the 23rd-24th Buddhist century or from the late Ayutthaya period. 

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 meters. 

Wirathai Monument
is made of blackened copper.  The monument features a soldier ready to fight 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 which is 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. 

Hat Khanom Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park
has its headquarters on the Khanom-Rong Faifa Road.  It is 100 meters from the road to the left.  The park incorporates islands, mountains and coastal areas of Amphoe Khanom and some parts of Surat Thani. 

Ao Khanom 
is the largest bay in Khanom.  It is 1.5 kilometers from the district office and can be reached by taking Highway No.4014. Khanom beach is a long beach that connects to other beaches, as follows: 

Hat Nai Phlao 
is Khanom’s largest beach and the most popular tourist attraction.  The beach curves along a mountain range.  The overall scenery is one that features perfect nature, including a clean, white beach conducive to a day in the sun.  Accommodation and restaurant facilities are available. 

Hat Na Dan 
is a long, palm-fringed white beach.  From this quiet beach, one can see the beautiful aquamarine water of the Gulf of Thailand. 

Hat Nai Praet 
is a beautiful, long curved beach.  This beach is between Hat Na Dan and Hat Nai Phlao and is rocky in some areas.  This popular beach’s natural ambience has been impressing visitors for years. 

Ao Thong Yi 
is a beach that is very suitable for camping because of its complete natural surroundings.  Ao Thong Yi is encompassed by Khao Phlao and Khao Klang, making it peaceful and removed from the outside world. To get there, take a laterite road for 2.5 kilometers from Hat Nai Phlao near Khanap Nam Resort. 

Khao Wang Thongcave
is 77 kilometers from the city and is one of the most awesome caves of the province.  The cave has many large and small chambers, each with stalagmites and stalactites of odd sizes and shapes, like pagodas, dinosaurs, custard apples, and fried eggs.  Some chambers can only be accessed by crawling or climbing, making it fun for visitors.  To get there, start from Khanom district office, turn right at the intersection to Don Sak and take a left turn.  The entrance has a bus stop called Sala Tansakun which is easily noticeable.  Drive for 6 kilometers until you reach the cave.  Visitors must first obtain the cave key from the keeper at the cave entrance. 

Wat Kradangnga
is an ancient temple of Khanom that was probably built during the Ayutthaya period.  The temple is about 200 meters from the Khanom-Nai Phlao road.  Inside the convocation hall are exquisite murals of Lord Buddha’s life.  There is also a magnificent Buddha image from the Ayutthaya period and interesting artifacts, particularly plates and bowls. 

Khao Luang National Park
covers many districts in the province with a land area of 597 square kilometers. The park has a winding mountain range, with the Khao Luang peak, the highest of the peaks in southern Thailand at 1,835 meters above sea level.  It is the watershed of more than 15 streams and rivers.  The park’s rainforest is home to a multitude of tropical flora and fauna.  There is a route that takes visitors around the park to see unspoiled natural scenery, the variety of wildlife and rare animal and plant species.  The beauty and completeness of the park, its fascinating nature, the park’s efforts to encourage the local community and tourists to be aware of the importance of nature, and its excellent tourist service system have all combined to help the park win the 1998 Thailand Tourism Award in the natural destination category.  For more information and accommodation bookings, please contact Khao Luang National Park at Karom waterfall, Tambon Khao Kaeo, P.O. Box 51, Amphoe Muang, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80000, tel. (075) 309047. 

Karom waterfall
is 9 kilometers from the city on Highway No. 4016 and then onto Highway No. 4015 on the left for 20 kilometers.  The entrance to the waterfall is on the right.  The waterfall originated in the Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range and cascades down 19. Kings and royal family members have visited this waterfall as evidenced by the initials of King Rama V and King Rama VI carved there. 

Ban Khiri Wong
is an ancient community which settled at the foot of Khao Luang in Tambon Kamlon, a path up the mountain.  This peaceful village is like one big, happy family.  The main occupation is growing mixed fruits, such as mangosteen, rambutan, durian, and Sato.  The village was faced with catastrophe on November 21, 1988 when a flash flood swept away some 100 houses.  The local monastery and villagers still maintain the damaged convocation hall and houses as monuments to those who perished.  Ban Khiri Wong is considered a prototype of eco-tourism management and the place won the 1998 Thailand Tourism Award in the city and community category. Residents have developed tourism services like trekking tours, porters and home stay programs through the Eco-tourism Club. Tourists can appreciate the way of life here all year round, with the most attractive time during July to September when fruits are on sale.  Trekking up Khao Luang must start at Ban Khiri Wong.  One can get to the village by taking a mini-bus from Talat Yao.  Buses depart from 07.00-16.00 hrs.  The fare is 17 baht.  Alternatively, one can drive on the Amphoe Muang-Lan Saka route for 26 kilometers.  The sign pointing to the village is at Km. 20 on the right.  Please contact the Kamlon Administration Office at tel. (075) 309010. 

Khao Luang peak
Features a trekking activity to enjoy nature on the Ban Khiri Wong-Khao Luang peak route.  The normal trekking time is 2 nights and 3 days.  Permission can be obtained from Khao Luang National Park and Kamlon Administration Office.  They will facilitate the trek and provide eco-tourism services by the community.  Treks are in groups of 10.  The best time for this is from January to June. 

Pak Phanang coast and Talumphuk cape 
are the sites of a severe storm in Nakhon Si Thammarat in 1962.  The coast of Pak Phanang is a long beach with the Talumphuk cape to the north jutting out into the Gulf of Thailand like a crescent moon.  The part where it is connected to Nakhon Si Thammarat bay has some villagers, while the coast on the gulf has a beautiful, pine-lined beach.  To get to both places, take Highway No. 4013 (Nakhon Si Thammarat-Pak Phanang) and then 16 kilometers on a road to Pak Phanang.  Both sides of the road are shrimp farms and mangrove forests.

Ban Rang Nok
Ban Rang Nok is famous for the nests made by swallows in the town.  Several houses and buildings have been closed because of the immense number of swallows inhabiting them.  These birds make the houses their homes just like living in caves and mountains.  However, the nests are not easily accessible as they are in private properties.

Wat Nantharam 
used to be called Wat Tai and currently houses Luang Pho Phut, a red sandstone Buddha image from the Ayutthaya period.  Pak Phanang people worship this sacred image.  In addition, the temple houses a giant phallic symbol found at Khao Kha archaeological site and is believed to be around 1,200 years old and from the 12th-14th Buddhist century.  The symbol is carved from limestone and is the most complete in southern Thailand.  The temple is at Chai Nam Road on the western side of Pak Phanang.

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