Nakhon Pathom

NAKHON PATHOM PROVINCE

Nakhon Pathom is a very old city which has been a centre of the Dvaravati civilisation. Over 2,000 years ago, a Buddhism missionary from lndia was sent to introduce Buddhism and its philosophy to a land called Suwannaphum, which had Nakhon Pathom as its capital. Phra Pathom Chedi was the important structure of the kingdom. The prosperous city was abandoned in the 12th century. A new community settled down after the renovation of Phra Pathom Chedi was completed in the reign of King Rama V of Bangkok period.

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Nakhon Pathom is 56 kilometres west of Bangkok. It is administratively divided into 6 districts (Amphoes): Muang Nakon Pathom, Nakhon Chaisi, Sam Phran, Bang Len, Kampheang Saen, Don Tum, and 1 sub-district: King Amphoe Phutthamonthon.

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Phra Pathom Chedi




On coming toward the city, the first glimpse of the towering Phra Pathom Chedi is overpowering. lt is one of the largest pagodas in the world and in Thailand, by far the most holy of all Buddhist structures. The original pagoda was constructed more than 2,000 years ago in the stupa design of an upside down bowl shape.

Don Wai Market




This market is the home of a fascinating old riverside community in Nakhon Chaisi. Its people have hardly changed with time, preferring to maintain many of the old ways of the Thai countryside which cannot be seen anywhere else. The entrance to the market is on the way to Wat Rai Khin. A variety of local food is available.

Sanam Chandra Palace



This palace, located 2 kms. west of Phra Pathom Chedi, was constructed by the command of King Rama VI in the year 1907 when he was the Crown Prince. The compound occupies an area of 355 acres and houses a group of throne halls and pavilions with an elegant and unusual mixture of classical French, English Tudor and traditional Thai architecture. Most buildings are now used as government offices. The two buildings opened as attractions are Phra Tamnak Chali Mongkhon At, a Western style building with a statue of "Ya-Le" - the king's pet dog and Phra Tamnak Mari Ratchabanlang where King Rama VI's personal utensils, royal photographs, and writings are exhibited. Nearby a Thai-style house called "Tamnak Thap Khwan" once served as King Rama VI's temporary residence.


The Rose Garden Country Resort




This popular tourist attraction is in the area of Amphoe Sam Phran, 32 kilometres west of Bangkok. It boasts large, beautiful and well maintained gardens with Thai-style houses on the bank of the Tha Chin River. An attractive Thai cultural show commences at 3.00 p.m. daily. The show includes Thai folk dance, Thai boxing, sword fighting and an elephant show. Call 295-3261-4 for further information.

Ancient City of Kamphaeng Saen
This is an ancient town that is worth visiting. It is located at Mu 5, Tambon Thung Kwang. The ancient town dates back to the Dvaravati period and is believed be as old as Muang Nakhon Chaisi, but is smaller in size. Situated 24 Kms. north of Nakhon Pathom town on Malaiman road, it can be reached by car. At present, it is used as a Boy Scout’s camp. The old town is believed to have been constructed by Nakhon Chaisi’s former rulers to control a trading route along canals and rivers to promote the town into a seaport-trading centre. The development as well as the deterioration of the two towns must have been almost at the same time. The interesting attractions of Ancient City of Kamphaeng Saen include unchanged ditches and earth dikes surrounding the ditches. Within the Ancient City area, there are small earthern mounds, ponds, and large trees that are homes to various kinds of birds.

Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo



This is located approximately 1 km. before the Rose Garden. The farm consists of a crocodile nourishing pond in which live thousands of crocodiles, wildlife compounds, restaurants and souvenir shops. Crocodile- wrestling shows, magic shows and elephant theme shows are performed 2 times daily at 12.45 and 2.20 p.m. On weekends and official holidays, an additional show commences at 10.30 a.m. Call 284-1873, 284-0273 for more information.

Thai Human lmagery Museum



Located at Km.31 of Boromarajajonani Road, the museum houses life-like sculptures created by a group of Thai artists. These breathtaking human figures with various characteristics and the replicas of important people are displayed in many sections such as the Great Buddhist Monks, Former Kings of Chakri Dynasty, and One Side of Thai Life. The museum is open to the public from 9.00 a.m.- 5.30 p.m. Call (034) 332607 for more information.

ิBuddhamonthon


This is an important religious site built by the government and the people to commemorate the 2500th year of the existence of the Buddha. Accessible by Puttha-Monthon lV Road, it occupies a large area with beautiful landscape and contains many interesting structures. A huge standing Buddha image cast in bronze gold measuring 15.8 metres marks the centre of the area. It is surrounded by Four commemorative sites concerning Lord Buddha's birth, enlightenment, the first preaching sermon, and Nirvana. Other interesting places include a Buddhist museum, a hall keeping marble Pali canon and meditation halls.

Wat Rai Khing



This temple is located on the bank of the Nakhon Chaisi River in the vicinity of Amphoe Sam Phran. Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing, the principal Buddha image of the temple, is highly revered by Nakhon Pathom people. An annual worship fair is held in April. This temple is also renowned for its natural fish sanctuary which is the habitat of hundreds of thousands of fish including big catfish which can weigh up to 10 kilogrammes.

Sam Phran River Trip



From the pier near the Sam Phran District Office, a long-tail boat takes visitors along the Nakhon Chaisi River, Khlong (Canal) Bang Chang and Khlong Chinda. Besides the pleasant rural scenery, visitors can enjoy walking around fruit orchards, orchid farms and a house where Thai sweets are daily made. The trip takes 2-3 hours and it should start in the morning.

Phra Padhone Chedi



Another historical site located in Wat Phra Padhone Chedi, Tambon Phra Padhone. It is located 2 Kms. to the east of Phra Pathom Chedi down Petchakasem Road. The former shape of Phra Padhone Chedi was an upside down bell like other Chedi that was built in Dvaravati period. As Wat Phra Padhone Chedi is located in the middle of the ancient city of Nakhon Chaisi thus several artefacts were discovered during excavations. Some of the discovered items include Buddha images, heads of Buddha images and Buddha images in terra cotta, as well as a bronze figure of a garuda gripping naga under it’s claws, which is the official symbol of King Rama VI.

Wat Phra Ngam



This monastery is a short distance away from the Nakhon Pathom Railway Station. Within the precincts is a large mole-hill believed to be the base of a large ancient monument about the same age as Phra Pathom Chedi. The monastery was built during the reign of King Rama V (1868-1890).

Nakhon Pathom Palace
It is located to the east and not far from Wat Phra Pathom Chedi. At present, it houses the Nakhon Pathom Municipality. Prince Damrong Rachanuphab mentioned the reason for building this palace in the book “Tamnaan Wang Gao” (or Tales of the Old Palaces) that during the renovation of Phra Pathom Chedi, it was inconvenient to come and go from Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom within a day, thus staying overnight was obligatory. Under the royal command of King Rama IV, the palace was built near the Phra Pathom Chedi, similar in concept to those palaces in the Ayutthaya period whereby the King commanded that a palace be built on the perimeter of the temple housing the Phra Buddhabat (Buddha’s Foot Print). The palace was given the name “Phra Nakhon Pathom” and the canals of Mahasawas and Chedi Bucha were dug to facilitate commuting by boat between Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom.

Wat Lampaya Floating Market



It is situated in front of Lampaya temple, on the Tha Cheen River. The floating market was initiated by the Tambon Lampaya Cultural Council and Lampaya temple. It is a centre of trade for fruits and vegetables as well as agricultural produces including rattan ware, woven cotton, dyed cotton, and inexpensive food. Local food like noodles with beef, Thai desserts, and steamed curried fish patty, are sold by local vendors who do their trade in their boats. In front of the temple is another haven for the various species of fish including big catfish-like fresh water fishes, black ear, and giant gourami. The cruise services along Tha Cheen River are also available.

Neun Phra
Neun Phra or Neun Yai Hom is located in Tambon Don Yai Hom. Take the Petchakasem Road from Nakhon Pathom heading into Bangkok for about 5 Kms., you will arrive at a T-intersection, turn right onto Settakit 2 Road (Ban Paew-Don Yai Hom Road) and proceed for about 9 Kms., Neun Yai Hom is on your left and another 150 metres into a side road, located in the middle of the rice fields. Amphoe Ban Paew is an ancient site