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All you need to know to visit Nakhon Si Thammarat

Nakhon Si Thammarat

นครศรีธรรมราช
Southern Thailand
780 km from Bangkok
Province of Nakhon Si Thammarat

Budget

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Recomm. stay

2 ou 4 jours avec Khanom

Visits

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Travel guide to go and visit Nakhon Si Thammarat

Essentially known for its iconic temple, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, which on the tentaive list of UNESCO World Heritage, Nakhon Si Thammarat province is rarely visited by foreign tourists. However, by going there you can discover in addition to some interesting places, Nang Talung, a traditional shadow puppets theater and enjoy a few long white sand beaches in particular on the side of Khanom in the North . Called Ligor when it was founded, Nakhon Si Thammarat city was an walled city with some ruins of the surrounding walls still standing. It can easily be visited in one day, two tops. Khanom on the sea side with its beautiful not crowded beaches compared to neighboring islands, its caves and pink dolphins, will hold you longer. Khanom will soon have its own page on the website, it's for me, the most interesting part of the province.

To see all optiosn to get around in Nakhon Si Thammarat, read our dedicated paragrpah about getting around in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Accommodations in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Nakhon Si Thammarat is a big city, there is a consequent accomodation choice and as foreign tourists are still quite rare here, the price/quality ratio is pretty good. For more convenience, it may be a good idea to find a hotel not too far from Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan. Otherwise, there is a whole network of songthaews serving as local buses.

Find accommodation in Nakhon Si Thammarat

My recommandations

People often ask me what accommodations I recommend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Baan Na Khon Hotel

Hotel in Nakhon Si Thammarat

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Practical information about Nakhon Si Thammarat

Few people know about it but Nakhon Si Thammarat is also an alternative to Surat Thani to reach the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The distance separating the city from Donsak pier is almost the same. Personally, I find that there are more interesting things to do and see in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province than in Surat Thani although I highly recommend you to spend 2 days and a night in Khao Sok National Park, my favorite in Thailand. Moreover some airlines offer combined flights to Nakhon Si Thammarat + ferry to the islands. Otherwise, you can find bus + ferry formulas from the airport. Ticket booths are in the arrivals hall in front of the baggage exit. But of course, you can also book in advance on the 12go website.

How to go to Nakhon Si Thammarat ?

Nakhon Si Thammarat has an airport. there are several daily flights from Bangkok Don Muang Airport, none from Suvarnabhumi. The city is also served by the train. The journey from Bangkok is very long and the majority of trains stop at Thung Song Junction except for 2 trains a day that go to the train station in the city. Last option with public transport to come to Nakhon Si Thammarat, the bus from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), the journey takes a dozen hours. There are also minivans that connect the city to Phuket, Phang Nga, Phatthalung, Trang and of course Khanom or buses to Hat Yai, Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga or Ranong. From Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, you have ferry + bus or van via Donsak formulas that go to Khanom and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

arrow_circle_right See all options to go to Nakhon Si Thammarat

How to get around in Nakhon Si Thammarat ?

Nakhon Si Thammarat city has a bus system operated by songthaews (pick-ups with benches in the back). It will cost you 10 THB regardless of the distance traveled. Line 5 for instance is quite convenient as it goes up Ratchadamnoen Street and can drop you off at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan. Also convenient lines 7 and 8 connect Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport to the city. Their schedules are based on the arrival times of flights, the price is 30 or 40 THB depending on the line you take. it takes 30 minutes. Otherwise there are taximeter in Nakhon Si Thammarat and motorcycle taxis. You can also use GRAB app (similar to UBER but UBER does not operate in Southestern Asia any more) to order a transportation.

Festivals in Nakhon Si Thammarat ?

Here is a list of the main festivals taking place every year in Nakhon Si Thammarat. I mention their dates as soon as they are official on Thai Festivals page.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Tenth Lunar Month Festival

This festival generally takes place in the month of September

arrow_circle_right Plus d'infos sur Nakhon Si Thammarat Tenth Lunar Month Festival

Nakhon Si Thammarat Food & Boat Racing Festival

This festival generally takes place in the month of October

arrow_circle_right Plus d'infos sur Nakhon Si Thammarat Food & Boat Racing Festival

Must-visits in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Wat Phra Mahathat Woramawihan

วัดพระมหาธาตุวรมหาวิหาร

My opinion :

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It is the emblematic temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat, the most important of southern Thailand and one of the most important in the country, because it is a first class royal temple. its big white chedi is the main element. It contains a relic of Buddha.

Shadow puppets museum

หนังตะลุง สุชาติ ทรัพย์สิน

My opinion :

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This museum is dedicated to Nang Talung, a traditional shadow puppets theater. You can see shadow puppets show and also the process of creating puppets. There is also an interesting gallery gathering a collection of ancient puppets. This is one of two must-visits in Nakhon Si Thammarat !

Ban Khiri Wong Village

บ้านคีรีวง

My opinion :

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This village, 25 kilometers from Nakhon Si Thammarat, is an example of ecotourism. Between treks in the neighboring national park and its waterfalls and discovery of the local handicrafts like batik and tie-dye of clothes, the best is to spend at least 2 days there.

Khanom

ขนอม

My opinion :

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Located about a hundred kilometers north of the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Khanom is a pretty beach destination with some interesting visits to do in the surroundings. The place is also famous for its pink dolphins that you can meet during boat tours. Although obviously, it takes a bit of luck to see it.

Other places to see in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Baan Tan Khun Ratwut Vicharn
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This ancient wooden house was built in the early twentieth century. Located near Wat Phra Mahathat Worama Wihan, on the opposite sidewalk, the house is home to a small museum and was furnished like it was supposed to be one century ago.

Old City Wall
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Nakhon Si Thammarat was a fortified city from its foundation. The ramparts have been rebuilt several times and the existing ruins date from the 17th century and are reminiscent of our european castles because they were erected by French architects.

City Pillar Shrine
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This sanctuary houses the pillar that marks the site of the founding of the city. This small white building is interesting to see the tribute that the inhabitants dedicate to the pillar something we don't see in western countries and its decorations in stucco.

Weather & climate in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Nakhon Si Thammarat has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures that remain very hot to hot throughout the year. The driest months are February and March, with about and the wettest months from October to December.

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How to ask in Thai to go to Nakhon Si Thammarat ?

I want to go to Nakhon Si Thammarat / Yak paï ti Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Where is Nakhon Si Thammarat ? / Nakhon Si Thammarat you ti naï ?

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