Nakhon Pathom
Travel Guide
There's an old legend that says the Gulf of Thailand once extended further north, and the city of Nakhon Pathom was a bustling harbour on the Gulf.
While there's some doubt about the legend, there's no doubt the city has been a centre of Buddhist learning for well over a thousand years. Nakhon Pathom's pride and joy, the Phra Pathom Chedi, bares testament to this.
The city revolves around the Chedi -- said to be the tallest Buddhist temple anywhere in the world. The chedi's extensive outer grounds are a popular place for the locals to eat, chat and lay about and while Nakhon Pathom is not so much a place travellers come of itself, (most visitors are package tourists making a side-trip form the nearby Damnoen Saduak Floating Market) there is a trickle of travellers who do make it here.
The Phra Pathom Chedi Fair, running for ten days at the end of November, is the biggest party Nakhon Pathom puts on. Hundreds of food and amusement stalls set up within the Chedi's outer gates and revellers and pilgrims come in their thousands to shop, play and pay homage to the monument.
Visitors can walk pretty much anywhere about town, and there are tuk tuks and samlors available for those who need them. It's difficult to get lost when walking around as wherever you are you always have the towering Chedi to use as a point-of-reference.
There is a municipal office on the east side of the Chedi that is supposed to offer tourist information, but you're better off asking at one of the hotels.
Nakhon Pathom is 58km south-west of Bangkok and about halfway to Kanchanaburi -- making it a handy spot to break up the trip -- if you're in a real rush, you can see the chedi from the train!
Text and/or map last updated on 11th August, 2009.
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Mom Chailai River Retreat Hotel
54 Moo 6 Klong Nok Kratung, banglenFrom: US$45.00 with Agoda
The Royal Gems Golf Resort
170/148 Salaya-Banglane Rd., Putthamonthon, Nakhon PathomFrom: US$44.00 with Agoda
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Nakhon Pathom reviews
Backchat from the Travelfish community
Boring. See the Palace.
If you HAVE to go to Nakhon Pathom then you might as well make the most of it. If you don't... then well... maybe leave it be. Nakhon Pathom isn't the most interesting city, however it is a good launching pad for travel in the west of Thailand.
The Chedi is beautiful but as of Feb 2010 was going under major construction so the main sight (the chedi) is hidden under scaffolding. Still beautiful, but don't expect too much.
The Sanam Chandra Palace is really the only thing worth seeing in Nakhom Pathom and it is absolutely spectacular, moderate dress codes apply here, but they will lend you sarongs/t-shirts.
If you have to stay here see the palace and then roll.
By annabellewalker (dabbler)
Written on 5th March, 2010 after a visit to Nakhon Pathom in February, 2010
Also reviewed by annabellewalker: Prachuap Khiri Khan,