Nakhon Si Thammarat Thailand – Top-5 Things to See in the City

Along with the usual range of attractive temples and quite an interesting national museum there is rather a unique shadow puppet house in Nakhon Si Thammarat. And if you have time to have a look at a single attraction in town we would suggest opting for Suchart Subsin’s Shadow Puppet House.

1. National Museum

Start your cultural visit from this interesting museum that will give you a solid historic background before you get to see the other attractions. Open in 1974, the two storey building hosts a huge collection of artefacts founded in Nakhon Si Thammarat and neighboring provinces, dating back to prehistoric age and covering all the populations that have been living or influencing this region over a period of more than 6000 years. Highlights are a 9th century Vishnu statue and religious artefacts from the Deravati period. The museum is open from 9:00am till 4:00pm and is closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays. Admission fee is THB150. To get there take one the blue songhtaews that run on Ratchadamnoen road; it is located 5 km south of the train station.

2. Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan

Walk 1,5 km north on the same road of the museum and you’ll get to one of the most important religious site in whole Thailand. The most recognizable structure of the temple is the central 78 mt pagoda built in Sri-Lankan style in the 14th century. The pagoda is supposed to enshrine Buddha’s relics that were previously preserved in a smaller chedi built on the same site. Other remarkable attractions are the royal buildings dating back to Ayutthaya Kingdom and a couple of buildings functioning as museum and hosting all the artefacts that has been donated to the temple over the centuries. Wat Phra Mahathat can be visited every day from 8:30am till 4:00pm and no admission fee is required.

3. Phra Phutthasihing

Phra Phutthasihing is a Buddha’s image that is believed to be almost 2000 year old. Originally carved in Sri Lanka, it has been taken to Thailand in the 13th century, during the Sukkhotai kingdom. Or at least this is the legend, since like the two other Phra Phutthasihing (one in Chiang Mai and one in Bangkok), the history of these highly revered statues is quite mysterious. The image is housed in an ordination hall along with other Buddha’s artefacts and the ashes of members of the Na Nakhon family, an important family in the history of the town. Phra Phutthasihing can be visited every day from 8:00am till 5:00pm and to get there walk 1 km north on Ratchadamnoen road from Wat Phra Mahathat.

4. City Wall

One more km north and you’ll get to what is left of the impressive wall (5 meters tall and 2 meters thick) that was surrounding the old town. What is still standing is part of the northern gate with a portion of the wall. The year of construction is uncertain but in a chronicle of the 13th century the wall is mentioned already.

5. Suchart Subsin’s Shadow Puppet House

Shadow puppets’ shows have a long tradition in Thailand and Suchart Subsin, who passed away few years ago, was the most recognized and important artist in the country. His contribution in keeping this form of art alive in the last century is inestimable and the work of a whole life is explained and displayed in what was his private house and studio by some of his students, who are doing a fantastic job following his inspiring example. Detailed information on how to build a puppet are provided, and a quick show is performed to give you an idea of the magic behind the shadow puppets. A complete performance can be arranged in advance. The house can be visited every day from 9:00am to 4:30pm and it is located on Thammasok Road, not far from Wat Phra Mahathat. Since admission is free, purchasing a small puppet will give you an unusual souvenir for your friends at home and will help these people to keep up with their great job.