Phra Wihan Sung
Location: Amphoe Muang
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.
Location: Amphoe Muang
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.
Location: Amphoe Muang
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.
Location: Amphoe Sichon
in Tambon Sao Phao. To
get there, take Highway No. 401 from Si Phibun intersection to Km.
99, turn left onto Chinda Pracha Sawan Road for 7 kilometers. Khao
Kha is a sacred religious place of the Sawai Nikai sect which worships
Shiva as its highest god. Khao Kha is regarded as being like the
mythical Khao Phra Sumen, a center of worship, that is surrounded
by smaller, secondary historical sites. Many artifacts used in rites
have been found here including phallic symbols, holy water pipes,
ruins, and an ancient pond. The site dates from the 13th-14th Buddhist
century.
Chedi Yak
Chedi Yak is the provinces 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.
Khao Chong Khoi Stone Inscription
Khao Chong Khoi Stone Inscription is at Ban Khok Sathon, Moo 9, Tambon Thung Pho, Amphoe Chulaphon.
This is the oldest Sanskrit stone inscription found in southern Thailand and dates from the 6th-7th century.
It tells the story of people asking for shelter from Shiva and jungle spirits.
It ends with the saying If a good person resides in a village, then that community shall find happiness and prosperity.
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan
Location: Amphoe Muang
located on Ratchadamnoen Road in Tambon Nai Muang. This is one of
the most important historical sites in southern Thailand. The
pagoda, 55.78 meters high, has a distinctive Sri Lankan style. 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, the Thap Kaset building,
while the Khian and Pho Lanka buildings are used to display artifacts
donated to the temple by Buddhists.
Location: Amphoe Muang
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.
Location: Amphoe Khanom
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.
Location: Amphoe Tha Sala
is in Tambon Don Kha
and is 10 kilometers from the district office. To get there, take
Highway No. 401 to Ban Na Thap, turn left onto Highway No. 4022
and drive for 6 kilometers. Originally a religious place for Brahmans
of the Sawai Nikai sect, the artifacts found here date from the
12th-14th Buddhist century. Items that can be seen here include
traces of stone pillars, carvings around doorways, religious stones,
an ancient pond, and statue bases. The Fine Arts Department declared
this area an archaeological site in 1975.
Location: Amphoe Pak Phanang
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.
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.
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.
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.
Location: Amphoe Pak Phanang
is a museum conceived by the Project to Develop Pak Phanang
Basin of His Majesty the King that covers Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung
and Songkhla. The museum is in the project itself and consists
of His Majesty’s office, a meeting room and an exhibition room on
Pak Phanang’s history.
For information, please contact
tel. (075) 517933, 517534.
Location: Amphoe Muang
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.
Location: Amphoe Muang
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.
Ban Nai Thung Handicrafts
Ban Nai Thung Handicrafts can be found 24 kilometres from the city. Ban Nai Thung is a Muslim Thai village near the sea.
Aside from fishing, villagers use their spare time to make colored cloth kites in the shape of birds, as well as birdcages,
for sale on both sides of the road. This village is well worth a visit for some quality products.
Fan Making Village
Fan Making Village is on Highway No. 403, 40 kilometres from Amphoe Muang to Amphoe Ron Phibun.
The villagers here use their spare time to make Kapho fans for sale nationwide.
This popular, local handicraft is affordable and very useful.
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