Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand: travel guide
Ancient southern city famed for shadow puppet theater, intricate metalwork, historic temples, and local shadow puppetry culture.
- Country
- Thailand
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Nearest airport
- NST
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
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
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 · entry THB 150
Covers Srivijaya and Tambralinga kingdom artefacts, Nang Talung shadow puppets and regional history.
Phra Bor Mal Cave
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · entry THB 20
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
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
Coastal district north of the city known for rare pink Irrawaddy dolphin sightings and quiet beaches.
Krung Ching Waterfall
Waterfall · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry THB 200
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
Quiet palm-fringed beach 30 km north of NST. Known for rare pink dolphins visible at dawn.
Khao Luang National Park
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · entry THB 200
Home of the tallest peak in southern Thailand. Orchid species, hornbills and wild elephants.
Sichon Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h
Long sandy beach fringed with casuarina trees on the Gulf of Thailand coast near Sichon district.
Shadow Puppet Workshop (Suchart Subsin)
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
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
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 around
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shared Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
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 · WMO 1991-2020 normal for January: 262.3 mm, 11.1 days with >=1 mm (TMD station NAKHONSI THAMMARAT (WMO 48552)).
- May 34°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for May: 159.9 mm, 12.2 days with >=1 mm (TMD station NAKHONSI THAMMARAT (WMO 48552)).
- Sep 33°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for September: 155.7 mm, 13.7 days with >=1 mm (TMD station NAKHONSI THAMMARAT (WMO 48552)).
- Oct 32°C · moderate · WMO 1991-2020 normal for October: 285.7 mm, 17.3 days with >=1 mm (TMD station NAKHONSI THAMMARAT (WMO 48552)). TAT park status list: "Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park - Open with seasonal closure from 15 October until 15 December" - the closure starts mid-month. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
- Nov 30°C · rough · WMO 1991-2020 normal for November: 637.5 mm, 19.7 days with >=1 mm (TMD station NAKHONSI THAMMARAT (WMO 48552)). Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park (this province) closed 15 October - 15 December. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
- Dec 30°C · moderate · WMO 1991-2020 normal for December: 511.1 mm, 16.7 days with >=1 mm (TMD station NAKHONSI THAMMARAT (WMO 48552)). Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai reopens 16 December; the first half of the month is inside the closure. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/