Nakorn si thammarat; The City full of history

Nakorn si thammarat usually shortened to "Nakhon. The province is located on the shore of the Gulf of Thailand. The terrain is mostly rugged hilly forest area. It contains the highest elevation of southern Thailand, the Khao Luang with 1,835m. Now protected in the Khao Luang nationalpark. It is about 400 miles south of Bangkok, on the east coast. The area around Nakhon Si Thammarat was part of the Srivijaya kingdom from the 3rd century.

The Ramkhamhaeng stele lists it among the areas within the realm of Sukhothai. 

After the fall of Sukhothai it fell it its successor, the Ayutthaya kingdom and was one of the tributary kingdoms or 1st class provinces.The city was the administrative centre of southern Thailand during most of its history. Originally a coastal city, silting moved the coastline away from the city. The city has a much larger north to south extension than west to east. The modern city centre around the train station is located north of Old Town. It is one of the most ancient cities of Thailand, previously Kingdom of Ligor, and contains many buildings and ruins of historical significance. With the fall of the Siamese capital of Ayutthaya in 1767 it regained independence, but returned to its allegiance on the founding of Bangkok.

In the 17th century British, Portuguese and Dutch merchants set up factories there and carried on an extensive trade.

"The provincial slogan is เมืองประวัติศาสตร์ พระธาตุทองคำ ชื่นฉ่ำธรรมชาติ แร่ธาตุอุดม เครื่องถมสามกษัตริย์ มากวัดมากศิลป์ ครบสิ้นกุ้งปู" 

- which translates to A historical town, the golden Phra That, plentiful minerals, three-metal nielloware, numerous temples, abundant"

The provincial seal: Nakorn Si Thammarat

The provincial seal shows the Phra Baromathat Chedi of the Wat Phra Mahathat Voramahavihan, one of the most important historical sites in southern Thailand. According to the city chronicle it was already built in 311, but archaeology dates it to the 13th century. The chedi is surrounded by the animals of the Chinese zodiac in the seal. The twelve animals represent the twelve Naksat cities or city-states which were tributary to the Nakhon Si Thammarat kingdom: the Rat of Saiburi; the Ox of Pattani; the Tiger of Kelantan; the Rabbit of Pahang (actually a city in Pahang which is said to be submerged by a lake now); the Dragon of Kedah; the Snake of Phatthalung; the Horse of Trang; the Goat of Chumphon; the Monkey of Bantaysamer, the Rooster of Sa-ulau (unidentified city, might be Songkhla, Kanchanadit or Pla Tha); the Dog of Takua Pa and a Pig of Kraburi.

The city full of history; 

Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan (วัดพระมหาธาตุวรมหาวิหาร)

A royal temple of the first class. Inside the temple are many buildings of importance, especially the royal building which has beautiful architecture from the Ayutthaya period and the Sam Chom building where the Buddha image attired in royal wardrobe Phra Si Thamma Sokarat is housed.

Phra Phutthasihing (พระพุทธสิหิงค์)

This sacred image was believed to have been ordered by the king of Lanka in 157 AD and was brought to Thailand during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great. The hall housing the image was originally the Buddha image hall of the palace of Chao Phraya Nakhon (Noi).

Ho Phra Narai (หอพระนารายณ์)

Ho Phra Narai (หอพระนารายณ์), another Brahman place of worship opposite Ho Phra Isuan. Located on the Ratchadamnoen Road. The original structure and design of this hall are unknown. However, a gray sandstone image of the god Narai wearing a hat and holding a conch in the right hand was discovered in the hall. It is estimated that it dates from the 11th-12th Buddhist century. This image is now in the National Museum in town. The only artifact on display in the hall is a replica of the Narai image discovered at an archaeological dig in Amphoe Sichon.

Phra Wihan Sung (พระวิหารสูง) 

Phra Wihan Sung (พระวิหารสูง) is an important historical site located just outside the ancient city wall to the north in the area of Sanam Na Mueang, on Ratchadamnoen Road. The site is so called because of its high location on a hill 2.10 metres above level ground. There is no exact historical evidence but it is believed that its architecture and wall murals are from the early Rattanakosin period. The building houses plaster images with a fat clay core. The images are either from the 23rd-24th Buddhist century or from the late Ayutthaya period.

The Thai-style monk's residence of Wat Wang Tawan Tok

 (กุฏิทรงไทยวัดวังตะวันตก)

The Thai-style monks’ residence of Wat Wang Tawan Tok (กุฏิทรงไทยวัดวังตะวันตก) is on Ratchadamnoen Road in the area said to be opposite Wang Tawan Ok, the retreat of Chao Chom Prang. Formerly a park, Chao Phraya Nakhon (Noi) donated Wang Tawan Ok and the park opposite it to a temple, now known as Wat Wang Tawan Tok. In 1888, Phra Khru Kachat (Yong) and his disciples built a group of houses for monks. The 3 houses have a pointed roof connected to the other and there are exquisite Nakhon Si Thammarat designs on the walls, doors, windows, and vents. The Siam Architects Society named these houses the best conservation effort in the area of historical sites and temples in 1992.

Chinese buildings at Wat Pradu and Wat Chaeng 

Chinese buildings at Wat Pradu and Wat Chaeng (เก๋งจีนวัดประดู่และวัดแจ้ง) Built in the early Rattanakosin period, they house the ashes of Phraya Nakhon and believed to also have the ashes of King Taksin the Great.