Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand: travel guide
Ancient southern city of shadow puppets, silverwork and a revered temple
Ancient southern city famed for shadow puppet theater, intricate metalwork, historic temples, and local shadow puppetry culture.
About Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the oldest cities in southern Thailand, with a long history as a centre of Buddhism and Malay-influenced culture. It sits on the Gulf coast and sees few visitors compared with the nearby islands.
The main sight is Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, a temple whose tall golden chedi is one of the most important in the south. The city is known for nang talung, a shadow puppet theatre, and for local crafts such as niello silverware and woven reed products. Nearby, Khao Luang National Park offers waterfalls and forest walks.
Nakhon Si Thammarat suits culture lovers and travellers who prefer places away from the usual routes. The drier months from February to April are the easiest for travel.
- Country
- Thailand
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Nearest airport
- NST
- Typical trip
- 2-3 days
Last updated
Plan a Nakhon Si Thammarat trip
Top places to visit in Nakhon Si Thammarat
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan
temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Southern Thailand's holiest temple — an 8th-century chedi holding a relic of the Buddha. Towering and serene.
Bovorn Bazaar Night Market
Market · 4.1 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
NST's main evening market with local southern Thai dishes, fresh produce and handicrafts.
Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum
Museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Covers Srivijaya and Tambralinga kingdom artefacts, Nang Talung shadow puppets and regional history.
Phra Bor Mal Cave
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Cave with Buddhist shrines and stalactites in Khao Luang foothills. Cool respite from the heat.
City Pillar Shrine (Lak Mueang)
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 0.5 h · free entry
The city's founding pillar shrine, an important spiritual landmark in the old town.
Ao Khanom (Pink Dolphin Coast)
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · free entry
Coastal district north of the city known for rare pink Irrawaddy dolphin sightings and quiet beaches.
Krung Ching Waterfall
tourist_attraction · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Thailand's most impressive waterfalls at 80 m, inside Khao Luang NP. Full-day trek.
Khanom Beach (Hat Nai Phlao)
beach · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Quiet palm-fringed beach 30 km north of NST. Known for rare pink dolphins visible at dawn.
Khao Luang National Park
national_park · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Home of the tallest peak in southern Thailand. Orchid species, hornbills and wild elephants.
Sichon Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Long sandy beach fringed with casuarina trees on the Gulf of Thailand coast near Sichon district.
Shadow Puppet Workshop (Suchart Subsin)
museum · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · free entry
The last master craftsman of Nang Talung shadow puppetry. Watch carving demonstrations and buy authentic puppets.
Hat Sai Kaew Pak Nakhon
Beach · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Beach and estuary area where the Pak Phanang river meets the gulf, known for seafood and sea breeze.
Things to do
- Wat Phra Mahathat Guided Temple Tour Cultural · 2 h · from THB 120 per person
- Nang Talung Shadow Puppet Show & Workshop Cultural · 2.5 h · from THB 240 per person
- Khao Luang National Park Waterfall Trek Nature · 4 h · from THB 480 per person
- Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum Tour Cultural · 2 h · from THB 79 per person
- Ao Khanom Pink Dolphin Boat Trip Activity · 3 h
- Khao Luang National Park Waterfall Trek (Krung Ching) Activity · 5 h · from THB 200 per person
Day trips and tours
- Khao Luang & Krung Ching Waterfall Trekking 9 h · from THB 830
- NST Heritage Walk & Shadow Puppet Workshop 5 h · from THB 340
Where to stay in Nakhon Si Thammarat
- City Center about THB 2,000 per night
Main commercial area with mid-range accommodation
Hotels
- Grand Fortune Hotel Nakhon Si Thammarat 5-star
- Baan Nakhon Guesthouse 3-star · THB 800 to THB 1,500 per night
- Thai Hotel (Nakhon Si Thammarat) 3-star
- Narai Hotel Nakhon Si Thammarat 4-star · THB 2,200 to THB 4,500 per night
- Twin Lotus Budget Inn 2-star · THB 480 to THB 900 per night
Where to eat
- Khrua Nakhon Southern Thai, Thai · about THB 150 per person
- Wang Derm Restaurant Southern Thai · about THB 80 per person
- Khanom Jeen Mae Yai Sensod Nam Keang Puma Southern Thai, Khanom Jeen · about THB 80 per person
- Khanom Jeen Sen Sod Mae Aed Southern Thai, Khanom Jeen · about THB 80 per person
- Khanom Jeen Muang Nakhon Southern Thai, Khanom Jeen · about THB 80 per person
- Ko Dong Southern Thai, Halal · about THB 100 per person
- Krua Talay Seafood, Thai · about THB 400 per person
- Chao Rua Restaurant Southern Thai, Thai · about THB 300 per person
Getting to Nakhon Si Thammarat
Airport: Nakhon Si Thammarat (NST)
How visitors arrive in Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Bus from Bangkok By road from Bangkok · common
Air-conditioned and standard buses run from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to the provincial bus station west of town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Train from Bangkok By train from Bangkok · common
Trains run from Bangkok railway station to Nakhon Si Thammarat. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Flight from Bangkok Don Mueang By air from Bangkok · common
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport is served from Don Mueang by Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai AirAsia. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Minivan from Krabi By road from Krabi · possible
A minivan connects Krabi with Nakhon Si Thammarat. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the railway station to the centre
- Train to Nakhon Si Thammarat
Trains from Bangkok serve the station, which is west of the centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Bus to provincial bus station unconfirmed
Buses from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal arrive at the provincial bus station just west of town; songthaews serve the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Motorbike Rental
- Shared Taxi
Blue songthaews run along Ratchadamnoen Road between Wat Phra Mahathat and the municipality office; ask locals if one goes your way.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Generic tourist overcharge
Major tourist zones
Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.
How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.
Best time to visit Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Jan 31°C
- Feb 28°C
- Mar 30°C
- Apr 30°C
- May 34°C
- Jun 30°C
- Jul 29°C
- Aug 29°C
- Sep 33°C
- Oct 32°C · moderate
- Nov 30°C · rough
- Dec 30°C · moderate
More in Thailand
Frequently asked questions about Nakhon Si Thammarat
- How many days do you need in Nakhon Si Thammarat?
- A typical trip to Nakhon Si Thammarat is 2-3 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Nakhon Si Thammarat?
- The highest-rated places in our Nakhon Si Thammarat guide are City Pillar Shrine (Lak Mueang), Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Shadow Puppet Workshop (Suchart Subsin), Krung Ching Waterfall, Khao Luang National Park.
- Where should I stay in Nakhon Si Thammarat?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Nakhon Si Thammarat: City Center.
- How do I get around Nakhon Si Thammarat?
- Ways to get around Nakhon Si Thammarat covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Shared taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Nakhon Si Thammarat?
- Scams reported to us for Nakhon Si Thammarat include Generic tourist overcharge. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Nakhon Si Thammarat?
- Average daytime highs in Nakhon Si Thammarat run from 28°C in Feb to 34°C in May.
- Which airport is nearest to Nakhon Si Thammarat?
- The nearest airport to Nakhon Si Thammarat has the code NST.