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Tourist
Attractions
The province’s highlight is the large Phra
Pathom Chedi Ratchaworawiharn, which houses
an equally large proportioned standing Buddha
image. As one of the most important pilgrimage
sites in Thailand, the original stupa (non-Thai
chedi) is believed to have been built between
the 2nd century BC and 5th century AD.
It commemorates the arrival of the first Buddhist
missionaries in Thailand sent here from India
in the 3rd century BC. The building fell into
decay in the 11th century and was not properly
restored until the reign of King Rama IV in the
early 19th century. Beautifully adorned with golden
tiles, the 127-m tall chedi dominates the town
and is the tallest Buddhist monument in Thailand
and in the world!
Two km west of the chedi is the Sanam Chan
Palace built by King Rama VI in 1907 and
completed 4 years later. Within an area of 355
acres, the compound houses a group of throne halls
and pavilions with an unusual mixture of classical
French, English Tudor and traditional Thai architectural
styles. Opened to the public are 2 main buildings,
the Phra Tamnak (royal residence) Chali Mongkhon
At and the Phra Tamnak Mari Ratchabanlang. The
former is a western-style building with a statue
of “Ya Le’, the king’s favorite
dog, while the latter displays an exhibition of
the king’s personal utensils, royal photographs,
and writings. Nearby is the Thai-style house,
‘Tamnak Tahp Khwan’, that once served
as the king’s temporary residence.
The Rose Garden is a well-manicured
garden that is a part of the Rose Garden Country
Resort. The chief attraction is the traditional
Thai cultural performances conducted daily. The
one-hour show features demonstrations of Thai
classical dances, ancient sword fighting, a Thai
wedding, the ordination of a monk, and Thai boxing.
The model Thai village provides demonstration
of fruit-carving, basket weaving and other craft
skills.
Just 1 km north of the Rose Garden is the Samphran
Elephant Ground and Zoo featuring crocodile wrestling
and elephant rides. The 22-acre park houses many
different wild animals and thousands of crocodiles,
including the world’s largest albino crocodile.
On the way from Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom, you’ll
pass the Human Imagery Museum containing authentic
looking, life-sized fiberglass statues of notable
figures in Thai history, including the impressive
Chakri dynasty kings (Rama I-IX), a number of
renowned monks, and common scenes depicting historical,
rural Thai life.
Phra Prathon Chedi is another ancient
chedi and is second largest after Phra Pathom
Chedi. Legend has it that the pagoda was constructed
by Phraya Phan to dedicate to his grandmother
who had raised and was killed by him as a token
of atonement for his sinful deed.
Within the Wat Phra Ngam grounds, a short distance
from the province’s railway station, is a
large molehill believed to be the base of a large
ancient monument dating back to the same period
as the Phra Pathom Chedi.
South of Phra Pathom Chedi is Wat Phra
Men, another temple believed to have been
constructed during the same period as Phra Pathom
Chedi. Artifacts discovered here include different
sized Buddha images and stucco reliefs from stupas,
which are now housed at the Bangkok National Museum
and at Phra Pathom Chedi National Museum.
Located on the bank of the Nakhon Chaisri River
in Samphran District, Wat Rai Khing houses a highly
revered, principal Buddha image of Luang Phor
Wat Rai Khing. Legend has it that the image was
found floated in the river and was requested to
reside in the concrete pavilion at this temple.
The temple is also renowned for its natural fish
sanctuary inhabited by hundreds of thousands of
fishes.
Phuttha Monthon is a Buddhist precinct
and botanical garden covering more than 100 acres
of land built to commemorate the Buddha’s
enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago. The compound
houses many religious buildings and is dominated
by a 15.8 m, bronze, walking Buddha image that
is considered to be the world’s tallest image
in the
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