All you need to know to visit Nakhon Pathom
Travel guide to go and visit Nakhon Pathom
What attracts visitors to Nakhon Pathom is Wat Phra Pathom Chedi/ With its huge chedi it is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. From 6 am with the chanting of monks until late there is always animation and a lot of crowd around the temple. Every night, on the parking lot, there is a night market with the largest Food Court in Thailand. Nakhon Pathom is believed to be where the first Buddhist Thailand have settled. Western tourists are very rare, it is mostly Thais who travel there to meditate and pray. Many come for the day from Bangkok only 56 km away. That is probably the reason why the city only offers few accommodation Another important monument to visit in Nakhon Pathom city is the Sanam Chan Palace, a royal palace.
Accommodations in Nakhon Pathom
The choice of hotels and guesthouses in Nakhon Pathom is quite limited probably because of its proximity to Bangkok, which is only 56 km away. The two closest hotels to Phra Pathom Chedi are old hotels with clean but basic rooms. They are a little outdated especially the rooms with fan (but the price is also very low) but those with air conditioning especially at Siam Hotel have been refurbished and therefore are a lot more attractive (and more expensive of course).
Find accommodation in Nakhon Pathom
People often ask me what accommodations I recommend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Nakhon Pathom.
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Practical information about Nakhon Pathom
With the Phra Pathom Chedi almost always in sight, it is quite easy to get around by feet in Nakhon Pathom. However, there are motorcycle taxis and tuk-tuks or even a few rickshaws that you will especially find around the temple and the railway station. Few speak English. They are not used to see foreign tourists hiring them.
To your journey Nakhon Pathom, you can add a tour at Phuttamonthon, the World Centre Of Buddhism as it calls itself, although this name is not official. This large park is dedicated to Buddhism with the largest Walking Buddha in the world at the center and different places reming the highlights of the life of Lord Buddha around and a temple housing theCanon Pali engraved on large marble panels .
How to go to Nakhon Pathom ?
Crossing point of many bus lines to Bangkok and served by the train, it is quite easy to get to Nakhon Pathom. Buses to Suphanburi and Kanchanaburi (Old Road, line 81) come here and can drop you near Phra Pathom Chedi. On the southern line, you can reach Nakhon Pathom by train from southern Thailand or from Bangkok.
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Festivals in Nakhon Pathom ?
Here is a list of the main festivals taking place every year in Nakhon Pathom. I mention their dates as soon as they are official on
Thai Festivals page.
Must-visits in Nakhon Pathom
My opinion :
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The largest Buddhist monument in the world with its 127 meters high stupa. A important place for Buddhism in Thailand as it was erected where Buddhism was introduced into the country more than 2000 years ago.
My opinion :
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It is with the Phra Pathom Chedi, the other must-see temple in the province. It is unique with its large 80-meter-high red tower and a dragon wrapped around. The ascent is done by walking inside the body of the dragon. The temple's garden are also pleasant and interesting.
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It is probably the most important and impressive museum of antique vehicles in Thailand. Those who are passionate about vintage cars will probably linger there for hours, but it is also an interesting visit for others.
Sanam Chan Palace
starstarstarstar small charming royal palace located 2 km from Phra Pathom Chedi great that we often forget when to comes to Nakhon Pathom but the visit is enjoyable.
Phutthamonthon
starstarstarstar about thirty kilometers from Nakhon Pathom, this huge park is known for the big Walking Buddha statue standing at its center which is reportedly the largest in the world. Around it, monuments recall the main stages of the life of Lord Buddha and a temple houses the sacred texts of Theravada Buddhism carved in marble stone.
Wat Klang Bang Kaew
starstarstarstar This temple located about twenty kilometers east of Nakhon Pathom has magnificent murals in its main hall. The chedi that is in the back is very interesting and has very photogenic details.
Wat Maisupradittharam
starstarstar This golden temple is next to Wat Klang Bang Kaew, so I recommend you to visit it as well while you are in the area even if it is from my point of view a little less interesting. It is undergoing expansion and remains very beautiful ... if you like gold;)
Wat Sri Sa Thong
starstarstarstar This temple dedicated to the deity Phra Rahu who swallows sun and moon. There are pretty halls with interesting or even surprising outdoor statues and one hall with a beautifully decorated vault.
Nakhon Pathom has a tropical savanna climate. There are three seasons: the warm season, the rainy season and the cold season, although the temperatures remain quite high. The rainy season begins with the arrival of the south-west monsoon in mid-May. September is the most raining month of the year. The rainy season lasts until October, when the dry, cool northeast monsoon takes over until February.
The best moment to go to Nakhon Pathom is in November, December, January and February. The least favorable months, due to the monsoon, are from June to September until mid-October. September is the month when it rains the most, there can be some flash floods in some parts of the city.
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How to ask in Thai to go to Nakhon Pathom ?
I want to go to Nakhon Pathom / Yak paï ti Nakhon Pathom.
Where is Nakhon Pathom ? / Nakhon Pathom you ti naï ?
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