Phra Wihan Sung
Location : Amphoe Mueang
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 Mueang,
on Ratchadamnoen
Road. The site is so called because of its high location on a hill
2.10 metres 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 Mueang
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 metres.
Location : Amphoe Mueang
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.
Location : Amphoe Mueang
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 Chulabhorn
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.
Location : Amphoe Tha Sala
is in Tambon Don Kha and is 10 km
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 km 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 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 km. 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.
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan
Location : Amphoe Mueang
located on Ratchadamnoen Road in Tambon
Nai Mueang. This is one of the most important historical sites in southern
Thailand. The pagoda, 55.78 metres 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 Mueang
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 Mueang
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.
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.
Location : Amphoe Khanom
is an ancient temple of Khanom that
was probably built during the Ayutthaya period. The temple is about
200 metres 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 Mueang
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 Phrom Khiriwas built to receive His Majesty
the King and H.R.H. Crown Princess Maha Chakri when they visited the city.
It is located in an old fruit orchard of the Thongsamak family which built
the house for the royal family on behalf of the city’s people. The area
is covered with varied kinds of native fruit trees and has been decorated
with beautiful and shady plants. The house is open to the public daily except
Wednesday and when the royal family is there.
Shadow play house of Suchat Sapsin
Location : Amphoe Mueang
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 Phanangis 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. 0 7551 7933, 0 7551 7534.
Arts and Culture Centre of Nakhon
Si Thammarat Rajabhat Institute
Location : Amphoe MueangArts and Culture Centre of Nakhon
Si Thammarat Rajabhat Institute is 13 km 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.
Location : Amphoe Mueang
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.
Khao Luang National Park
Location : Amphoe Lan Saka
Having a land area of 597 sq km,
it was declared a national park on December 18, 1974. The park has a winding
mountain range, with the Khao Luang peak the highest of the peaks in southern
Thailand at 1,835 metres above sea level. It is the watershed of more than
15 streams and rivers. The parks 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, some of which can only be found in the park. The beauty and
completeness of the park, its fascinating nature, the parks 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
Mueang, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80000, tel. 0 7530 9047.
Attractions in Mae Wong National Park :
• Krung Ching waterfall
is a beautiful and important
waterfall of Khao Luang National Park. Located in Tambon Krung Ching, the
waterfall derived its name from Ton Ching which is a kind of palm prevalent
in the area. The waterfall has many levels and the most breathtaking level
is Nan Fon Saen Ha where water drops off a sheer cliff 100 metres high,
splashing down creating a mist covering the area like rain unlike other
falls. This waterfall level is depicted on the back of Thailand’s 1,000
Baht currency note. The waterfall is under the responsibility of the Khao
Luang National Park Protection Unit. The waterfall can be reached by a road
3.8 km long to Nan Fon Saen Ha. The area has a training center,
accommodation and a campground.
To get to the falls, take the Nakhon Si Thammarat-Phrom Khiri road (4016).
Upon reaching Na Reng intersection, turn left to King Amphoe Nop Phitam
and turn right (4186). The total distance is 70 km.
• 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.
• Ai Khiao waterfall
Namtok Ai Khiao, or Nai Khiao Waterfall,
is in Tambon Thon Hong. It is 30 km from the city on Highway No.
4016, on the same route as Phrom Lok waterfall. At the 24-km marker, turn
left onto the road and continue for another 5 km. Originating from
Khao Luang, this waterfall has 15 levels, which are Nan Chong Sai, Nan Bang
Bai, Nan Mai Phai, Nan Sua Phan, Nan Buppha Sawan, Nan Hin Kong, Nan Hua
Chang, Nan Sai Kwat Lan, and Nan Fa Faet. The surrounding area is still
a dense jungle. Both sides of the falls are covered with betel gardens.
The locals call the betel Phlu Pak Sai because of its hot flavor and sweet
scent. The view of Khao Luang is best viewed from here.
• Phrom Lok waterfall
Namtok Phrom Lok is in Tambon Phrom
Lok. It can be reached via Highway No. 4016 (Nakhon Si Thammarat-Phrom Khiri)
to the 20-km marker, then turn left onto Highway No. 4132 for 5 km.
This is a large waterfall with wide and lovely rock platforms. It originates
from the Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range and flows down 4 levels, which
are Nan Bo Nam Won, Nan Wang Mai Pak, Nan Wang Hua Bua, and Nan Wang Ai
Le. The water flows past many kinds of flora before going to Khlong Tha
Phae and ending in the Gulf of Thailand in Tambon Pak Phun.
• Karom waterfall
is 9 km from the city on Highway
No. 4016 and then onto Highway No. 4015 on the left for 20 km.
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.
• Yot Luang waterfall
or Mueang Mai waterfall is to
the south of Krung Ching waterfall in Mu 6, Tambon Na Reng. Swimming can
be enjoyed here at this medium-sized waterfall amidst the coolness of the
jungle. To get to the waterfall, take the Nakhon Si Thammarat-Phrom Khiri
route (4016) for 40 km.
Location : Amphoe Tha Sala
Khao Nan National Park is 30 km
from Amphoe Tha Sala. The park covers areas in Amphoe Tha Sala, Amphoe Sichon
and King Amphoe Nop Phitam. In addition, the park has areas in Pa Khao Nan
National Forest Reserve and Pa Krung Ching National Forest Reserve. The
total area of the park is 436 square km. The main topography is
a high mountain range extending from Khao Luang National Park. The park
itself is a watershed of many waterways. From the city, travel by Highway
No. 401 across Khlong Klai, and past Ban Sa Kaeo in Amphoe Tha Sala. Upon
reaching the 110-km marker, turn left into Ban Pak Chao and drive 15 km
to the park office.
Attractions in Khao Nan National Park :
• Hong cave
is a medium-sized cave with
a stream running through its center before going subterranean to another
stream outside. Stalactites and stalagmites of strange shapes abound in
the cave. The most distinctive characteristic of the cave is a waterfall
that drops down 3 levels. Visitors in the cave must wade through water before
emerging from the exit 300 metres away. The cave is under the responsibility
of the Khao Nanthi National Park Protection Unit (Khlong Lamphaen). The
cave is situated just before Krung Ching waterfall.
Location : Amphoe Thung Song
Namtok Yong National Park, or locally
known as Yong Sai Yai waterfall, has a total area of 49,403.25 acres. Covering
the areas in Thung Song, Na Bon, and Chawang, it was proclaimed a national
park on December 10, 1987. The parks pristine nature includes the Yong Waterfall
where streams converge into one giant rope-like waterfall dropping from
a high cliff to the large pool below. There is also the Plieu Waterfall
at Pa Praek, a smaller waterfall measuring 25 metres high. An ascent from
Ban Nam Ron to the top takes about 1 hour. To get to the park, take the
Nakhon Si Thammarat-Thung Song Road for 50 km, turn right, and drive
for 3 km
to the park. Tents are available for tourists. For more
details, please contact the park at Moo 2, Tambon Tham Yai.
Attractions in Khao Nan National Park :
• 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-metre-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 km 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. 0 7549 1244
Location : Amphoe Khanom
has its headquarters on the Khanom-Rong
Faifa Road. It is 100 metres from the road to the left. The
park incorporates islands, mountains and coastal areas of Amphoe Khanom
and some parts of Surat Thani.
Attractions in Khao Nan National Park :
• 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 km
from Hat Nai Phlao near Khanap Nam Resort.
• 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.
• Ao Khanom
is the largest bay in Khanom.
It is 1.5 km from the district office and can be reached by taking
Highway No.4014. Khanom beach is a long beach
that connects to other beaches.
• 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.
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