(Newswire.net — May 26, 2020) — For those of you keen to get off the well-worn tourist trails of southern Thailand, a side-trip to Nakhon Si Thammarat (known as ‘Nakhon’) is a fantastic idea. Situated between two arguably more famous cities – Hat Yai and Surat Thani – it is easily accessed via daily direct flights from Bangkok (BKK-NST). Historic Nakhon is an advantageous and rejuvenating spot to relax, unwind, explore, and experience. To help you plan* your trip and hit the ground running, with compiled this guide of the top six things to do and a little history lesson about the area. So, without further ado, let us jump in and get to know Nakhon!
*Nakhon has a tropical climate and temperatures remain mild to hot (23° – 34°) throughout the year. While some rain falls every month, it is drier in February and March and wetter in October through December.
Backstory
Nakhon Si Thammarat is a city in southern Thailand, capital of the province of the same name. It lies 610 km south of Bangkok, on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. Throughout most of recent history, it has functioned as the administrative centre of southern Thailand.
Initially, an overland route between the western port of Trang province and the eastern port of Nakhon Si Thammarat province functioned as a significant trade link between Thailand and the rest of the world. Indeed, it is one of the most ancient cities in the Land of Smiles, previously known as the Kingdom of Ligor. Over hundreds of years, a constant influx of outside goods, ideas and peoples enabled it to develop an eclectic mix of culture, still evident today in its vast array of historically significant ruins that dot the landscape and the delicious assortment of cuisine on offer.
1) Old Town
Like Chiang Mai, Nakhon Si Thammarat is home to a quaint old town quarter, replete with ruins of ancient city walls, well-preserved historic homes, century-old buildings and fascinating culture walks. For us, the real highlight is the gastronomy! There are loads of local specialities you need to sample dotted through the Old Town. Start your morning with Chinese doughnuts and old-style coffee, proceed to a bowl of mouth-watering rice-flour noodles for lunch and finish off with a delicious pork bone tea soup for dinner.
2) Kiriwong Village
Renowned as having Thailand’s purest air, Kiriwong Village attracts a wide array of nature lovers who are drawn to its crystal clear streams, majestic mountains, green surroundings, ample opportunities of cycling and hiking and friendly locals. The village also showcases a community-based economy, wherein its inhabitants eagerly embrace organic fruit farming, soap making, tie-dying, beading and so on. Try a local homestay to truly immerse yourself in this idyllic oasis.
3) Shadow Puppets
Thailand’s world-famous shadow puppets are an ancient tradition with its roots in Southern Thailand. Intricately hand-carved from cow skins, they come in two styles: Nang Talung, standing just under 1m tall and featuring movable appendages; and Nang Yai, nearly life-sized, but without movable parts. At the Suchart Subsin Museum, you can admire the puppets up close (check out the 19th-century ones upstairs), see how they are constructed and watch a live performance.
4) Phra Borommathat Chedi
As one of the holiest sites in the whole of Thailand, it’s no wonder that the gigantic Sri Lankan-style stupa Phra Borommathat Chedi (featured on the Kingdom’s 25 satang coin) has become the city’s unofficial emblem. Dating back as far as the 13th century and built as a symbol of Theravada Buddhism, this ancient structure, within the grounds of Wat Phra Mahathat, stands a lofty 77m high and is topped by a golden spire. There is also a small museum displaying antique statues from all eras and regions of Thailand.
5) Pink Dolphins
There may be prettier beaches in Southern Thailand, but Khanom Beach in Hat Khanom-Mu Koh Thale Tai National Park has something other ocean spots do not: pink Irrawaddy dolphins! These rare, and sadly endangered, sea creatures are only found in select ocean areas (coasts, river mouths, estuaries) around Southeast Asia. June through August is the best time to visit and take a boat trip out on the high seas to see these amazing animals frolicking in the waves.
6) National Museum
If you want to get under the skin of Nakhon, this is the place to do it. Do not take all the trouble to fly from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat (BKK-NST) and not spend a few hours wandering around the interconnected rooms of the grand National Museum. With artefacts like drums, statues and coconut graters dating as far back as the 5th century, a curious look at the bilingual (English / Thai) display cases will open your eyes to the varied and fascinating history of the area.