Reader’s E-mail:
I have a day free in Nakhon Si Thammarat whilst I wait for a flight. Is there anything to see there?
Reply from Thailand Info
The cultural things Nakhon S Thammarat is known for are it shadow puppets and its large temple.
Wat Phra Mahathat
Nakhon Si Thammarat’s one and only major tourist attraction is a large temple (Wat Phra Mahathat Woromaha Vihan) infact it is the biggest and most important Buddhist temple in Southern temple.
Reputedly constructed in 854 AD (not sure how they came to such an accurate date) it is famous for two things: a holy relic – the Buddha’s tooth – and the large Chedi surrounded by 173 smaller Chedi. A Chedi is a pointy pillar on a dome like base. Lots of Thai people visit, as do Sri Lanka Buddhists, and it is a site of some significance in Theravāda Buddhism. Theravāda is one of the two branches of Buddhism and it is one they follow in both Thailand and Sri Lanka.
Wat Phra Mahathat Woromaha Vihan is located in the south of the City on the Ratchadamneon Road, which the main road running north to south through the city. To get there ask a Taxi driver ‘Bai Wat Phra Mahathat’ you should have no problems.
Location of Wat Phra Mahathat
Shadow Puppets
The other thing Nakhon Si Thammarat is famous for is its shadow puppets. This is a very old form of art and theatre combined. The place to see a show and examine the delicately crafted puppets is Suchart Subsin Shadow Puppet House. It is on on Soi 3 off Si Thammasok Road. It is not that far from Wat Phra Mahathat Woromaha Vihan – Si Thammasok Road runs parallel to Ratchadamneon Road to the east. Again ask a Taxi driver ‘Bai Baan Suchart Subsin’. It is a popular destination and they should know it. The museum is open 09.00 to 17.00 every day and admission is free. You need to check when you get there about when shows are held as there seems to be no set programme.