Nakhon Si Thammarat Things to Do

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The beaches around Khanom are just beautiful, no people, no deck chairs, just locals collecting shell fish or fisherman out bringing in their catch. It is the perfect place to get up early and watch some of the Gulf of Thailand's spectacular sunrises.

So click here for lot of my sunrise and general beach photos.

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Wat Mo Khlan use to be a Hindu sanctuary of the Sivada Sect dating back to the 7-9th century A.D. All that is left now is some traces of stone pillars, stone door frames and pedestals for sculptures and an ancient pond.

The Thai Fine Arts Department declared the site an ancient monument in 1976.

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Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is in Nakhon Si Thammarat town which is about 80 kilometers from Khanom. This Temple is a Royal Temple of the First Class and one of the most important historical sites in all of Thailand.

The Pagoda is 55.70 meters high and the top is covered in pure gold. According to legend Prince Thanakuman and Queen Hem Chala bought Buddha relics to Sai Kaeo and built a small pagoda to mark the location. Then when King Si-Thamma Sokarat established the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat, he built a new pagoda which is now Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan.

There are many beautiful buildings in this complex especially the Royal Building with architecture from the Ayutthaya period and the Sam Chon building where you will find a Buddha image dressed in royal clothing.

There are also many artifacts donated by people from around Thailand.

We will definitely go back to visit this amazing Temple again as we did not realize just how big it is and it will take many hours to see it properly.

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Khao Luang is the highest mountain in the south of Thailand soaring to a height of 1835m. At the base of the mountain is the village of Khiriwong, renowned for its environmental friendly ways of making a living from fruit orchard farming. Ingenious ways of irrigating the orchard farm can be seen from the occasional blue PVC pipes running along the slopes, drawing waters from the rivers at higher altitudes. Within this mountain is a variety of plant and bird species. Inconspicuous hiking trails at certain sections and fallen tree trunks cutting off the trails are common. The steep slopes above 1000m are often covered with wet fallen leaves and with overhanging vegetation getting into the paths, the climb is by no means a piece of cake. Not to mention the presence of algae covered rocks and thorn-covered plants along the way greatly increase the difficulty of the climb. It is the mangosteen season in Februrary and villagers will be plying busily along the otherwise quiet village road with motor bikes loaded with baskets of harvested fruits. Try to call and arrange a guide to lead you up the summit beforehand. Due to the high difficulty of the hike, it is best to be undertaken over 3 days 2 nights period. The guide's name is Kang and his number is 084-4401370. He is able to provide accommodation if needed in the village prior to or after the hike at his homestay, which consists of a few units of wooden and bamboo huts. For those less rugged and adventurous individuals, one day leisurely hike visiting the various beautiful water-falls is also possible.

Alternatively, you may also contact Mink, an ex-staff of Tourism office of Thailand, who is also able to get guides for you and arrange for Homestays as well. Her number is 08-3192-2497. Or you may reach her via facebook - Angsikarn Mink Sasithornwetchakul.

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This museum is located at the southern end of the main Rajdamneon Road and was opened in 1974. It displays religious art from the Dvaravati and Srivijayan periods to the Rattanakosin era. Various images of Buddha exist in the displays made in the distinctive local Sing style. Two bronze drums made by the Dong Son peoples of northern Vietnam are another display in the museum. The museums only OK and certainly doesn't warrant the hefty admission fee.

Open: 9am-4pm Wed-Sun. Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays. Admission: 150 baht.

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This area used to comprise 6 temples but they were incorporated into one temple. The large stupa is in the Srivijaya style and dates from the Ayutthaya period while there is a pink and gold sitting Buddha in one of the original temple buildings.

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This temple museum is well worth a visit when you're visiting the temple. Unfortunately, there are no explanations in English and very few in Thai so it becomes a bewildering array of religious items, weaponry, household objects, pottery and everything else under the sun strewn around or piled up in dingy corners collecting dust. This is a crazy museum comparable to an ancient Egyptian tomb which has been untouched for thousands of years.

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Wat Phra Mahathat is the most important temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat and southern Thailand. It was constructed at the time of the founding of the town, and contains a tooth relic of Buddha. The 78 m high chedi is surrounded by 173 smaller ones and dates back to 555 AD. While the chedi is now in Sri Lankan style, it is said to be built on top of an earlier Srivijaya style chedi. At the base of the chedi is a gallery named Viharn Tap Kaset, decorated with many Buddha statues and elephant heads emerging from the chedi. Viharn Phra Song Ma is the buildings which contains the staircase which leads to a walkway around the chedi above the gallery. At the bottom of the staircase are demon giants (yak) as guardians. Adjoining to the north is the Viharn Kien, which contains a small temple museum which is well worth a visit. South of the chedi is the large ubosot building, the Viharn Luang.

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This small Chinese shrine is located just off the main road near the clock tower. Phra Sua Muang is an angel or the protective spirit of the city and protects it from all dangers plus it also protects the army and gives peace to the locals. It was originally built during the Ayuthaya period but has since transformed into its current style of Chinese architecture.

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This is a little chapel dedicated to Shiva, that's located across the main road from the Ho Phra Narai which is dedicated to Brahmin. The chapel features a high, narrow red swing which used to be near another Brahmin chapel. The Ceremony of Tri-yampawai or the Swing Ceremony was one of the 12 royal ceremonies held in each of the months of the Thai lunar calendar in the Sukhothai kingdom. Originally held in the first lunar month, it was moved to the second lunar month in the early Rattanakosin period at the beginning of the 19th century. The ceremony was a Brahmin new year's ceremony and lasted for 10 days.