Nakhon Si Thammarat was traditionally one of southern Thailand's commercial and transportation hubs. This role has now been taken over by the city of Hat Yai further to the south. As a result of this shift in influence, Nakhon Si Thammarat, while remaining Thailand's fourth largest city, is a more captivating, unadulterated place to visit.

Quite well set up for tourism, the city has an excellent transportation network, some good, cheap hotels, plenty of religious sites and loads of great food along with a large and helpful TAT office. The only thing missing is the tourists. The city is 780km from Bangkok and it has a population of around 85,000.

Downtown Nakhon Si Thammarat consists of four long and narrow parallel streets that stretch from north to south for several kilometres. The newer and busier part of town with most of the hotels, shops and restaurants is situated to the north around the train station. The older, more historical part of town is located to the south and it contains the famous wats and museums.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has an office in Nakhon Si Thammarat at Sanam Na Muang Park off Ratchadamnoen Rd. T: (075) 346 5156, F: (075) 34 6517.

Nakhon Si Thammarat has a good hospital with English-speaking staff at Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hosptial Ratchadamneon Rd. T: (075) 34 0250.

The Tourist Police can be contacted anytime, anywhere in Thailand by telephoning 1155. The Nakhon Si Thammarat police station is located on Phaniad Rd between Yommarat Rd and Ratchadamneon Rd. The police can be reached at (075) 35 6500. The highway police can be reached at (075) 34 1175.

The post office is on Ratchadamneon Rd between Pratukhao Rd and Phaniad Rd. It's open 08:30 - 16:30 weekdays and 09:00-12:00 on Saturday. E-mail and international telephone services are available 08:00-23:00 on the second floor.

There are a few internet cafes located on Ratchadamneon Rd and Yommarat Rd. The best bet is to use the Internet at the post office. Rates are affordable at 20-40B per hour.