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Amphoe
Muang |
Wat Phra Mahathat
Woramahawihan
is 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.
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. |
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Amphoe Khanom |
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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.
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Amphoe Lan Saka |
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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.
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Amphoe Na Bon |
Khlong Chang
waterfall and trekking on Khao Men
are must things to see and do in this district. The waterfall has 7
tiers and is one of southern Thailand’s most beautiful. The waterfall
originates in Khao Men which is the third highest mountain after Khao
Luang and Khao Nan (Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range). The waterfall
area is still a verdant forest. Trekking up the 1,235-meter-high Khao
Men is recommended as a cool mist covers it the year round and it
possesses more than 300 exotic plant species. To get there, take the
Nakhon Si Thammarat-Thung Song road to Khuan Mai Daeng intersection.
Turn right towards Na Bon on NS2001 Road for about 11 kilometers to the
waterfall. The recommended time for trekking is 2 days and 1 night and
the most suitable period is December to April.
Please contact the 17th Volunteer Territorial Defence Company of Na Bon
at tel. (075) 491244. |
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Amphoe Pak Phanang |
Museum Honoring the King for the Development of Pak Phanang Basin
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.
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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