Nakhon Si Thammarat (Thai นครศรีธรรมราช) is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and the Nakhon Si Thammarat District. The city was the administrative center 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 then west to east, which dates back to its original location on a flood-save dune. The modern city centre around the train station is located north of Old Town.

The town of Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the oldest towns of southern Thailand. Its origins are not fully known. Most historians recognize the Tambralinga Kingdom of Chinese records as a precursor of the modern town Nakhon Si Thammarat. The town chronicles of this time are hardly divisible from legends, but talk of a abandon and refounding of the town, which would explain the break of history between Tambralinga and Nakhon Si Thammarat. At the time of the Sukothai Kingdom, the Nakhon Si Thammarat Kingdom was already listed as one of the kingdoms under control of the Thai, which is stayed during most of its history. To the European merchants of the 16th century the town was usually known as Ligor. At the end of the 19th century the kingdom was finally fully absorbed into Siam by converting it into the Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat. Since the abolishment of the monthon in 1932 the town is now only a provincial capital.

Wat Phra Mahathat (Thai วัดพระมหาธาตุวรมหาวิหาร) is the most important temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat and southern Thailand. It was constructed at the time of the founding of the town, and contains a tooth relic of Buddha. The 78 m high Chedi is surrounded by 173 smaller ones. While the chedi is now in Sri Lankan style, it is said to be built on top of an earlier Srivijaya style chedi.

At the base of the chedi is a gallery named Viharn Tap Kaset, decorated with many Buddha statues and elephant heads emerging from th

chedi. Viharn Phra Song Ma is the buildings which contains the staircase which leads to a walkway around the chedi above the gallery. At the bottom of the staircase are demon giants (yak) as guardians. Adjoining to the north is the Viharn Kien, which contains a small temple museum.

South of the chedi is the large ubosot building, the Viharn Luang. The monk living quarters are located across the street in a separate temple, Wat Na Phra Boromathat.

The chedi is the symbol of the Nakhon Si Thammarat province, present in the seal of the province. It is also displayed on the 25 satang coin.

Northern Gate

The city chronicle already mentions a fortification when the town was refounded in 1278. Restorations were recorded at the time of King RAMESUAN (14th century), as well as King NARAI (1686). The latter one was supported by the French engineer M. de la Mare.

The walls spread 456 m from East to West, and 2238 m North to South, thus enclosing an area of about one square kilometre. The northern wall had only one gate, called Prathu Chai Nua or Prathu Chai Sak, also the southern wall had only one gate. To the east there were three gates, which connected the town with the sea. To the west were five gates. Today only the northern gate still exists, together with a short stretch of the northern city wall.

Nakhon Si Thammarat is has three large secondary schools, Kanlayanee Si Thammarat School, Bejamarauchit School and Srithammarat Suksa School.

Capitol and regional cozy airport (8 daily flights!) of Nakhon Sri Thammarat on the bottom of the map, the bookmark indicates the location of the land plots for sale.
On top of the map you find Koh Samui Island.
To the left you see Surathani and it's international airport.

SUMMARY INFOS FROM THE REGION:

Nakhon Sri Thammarat is a southern Thai coastal province edging the Gulf of Thailand. The province covers some 9,942 sq. km. Provincial capital is some 780km south of Bangkok.This province has Surat Thani to the north, Trang, Phatthalung and Songkhla to the south, Krabi to the west and the east. Nakhon Si Thammarat is divided into 16 districts and 2 sub-districts.
The province is historically important. In as much as that from the late 1200s, trade was firmly established between Nakhon Si Thammarat and Southern India, including Sri Lanka. Intermarriage between local women and foreign merchants resulted in the import of certain Indian beliefs and customs, including Brahmanism and shadow plays, influences that were to have profound effects on the Siamese courts of the Ayutthaya period (1350 - 1767). Besides that, Nakhon Si Thammarat was also a major center of Buddhism some 1,700 years ago, during the Sri Vijaya period.
The town which bears the same name as that of the province is a natural stopover for travelers heading north to Ko Samui. The town was once known as Ligor and contains many archeological sites. History is found in abundance here, but, so also are sandy beaches, national parks and picturesque waterfalls. Silverware, brassware and fine-weave lacquered basketry are specialties of the province.

City Wall & Northern Gate originally measuring some 400 x 2,200 meters, the ancient city walls, and northern gate, have been restored several times between the 1300s and 1990s.

Wat Phra Mahathat is one of the most revered temples in southern Thailand, and is by far the most prominent city landmark. The original pagoda was built some 1,700 years ago to house Buddha relics brought from Sri Lanka. The 77m high pagoda dominates a complex of lesser yet nevertheless interesting structures which include the Viharn Luang and the Viharn Pra Ma. Viharn Luang - this chapel to the left of the pagoda is a perfect example of Ayutthayan architecture and contains an intricately painted and decorated ceiling. Viharn Pra Ma on the other hand lies to the right and contains two national artistic masterpieces, namely 'bas relief' depicting the life of the Lord Buddha in India before his enlightenment, and a carved door, dating back hundreds of years, depicting the Hindu gods Brahma and Vishnu.

Wat Sema Muang - It was here that a stone inscription was found which recounts the origin of the traditional Thai greeting, 'Sawasdee'. The stone is now kept in Bangkok's National Museum. Wat Wang Tawan Tok - This temple is noteworthy for a traditional southern Thai-style house within the complex. Construction of the house commenced in 1888. The structure took 13 years to complete. The building was constructed entirely without nails and is notable for elaborately carved doors, windows and gables. Wat Chaeng - this temple was built during the 1780s. 'Keng Jeen', a small Chinese-style building, is decorated with wood imported from China. The ashes of a Nakhon Si Thammarat ruler and his wife are contained in two small pagodas within this building.
Wat Pradu - this temple contains the ashes of King Taksin the Great (1767 - 1782) and was built some 200 years ago. The shape of the chapel resembles a beat and there is a large lotus flower carved into a gable of the chapel.

Khanom Beach located some 100km north of the provincial capital, in Khanom district, this tranquil area is the focal point of a sandy beach area that includes the equally scenic Nai Pihlao Beach.

Kiriwong Village some 23km from the provincial capital, this village lies at the foot of Khao Luang (Luang Mountain) which rises 1,835m above sea-level. The village is the first stop for a hike to the mountain summit. The village is set among lush forests and cool streams, belying the fact that the community was devastated during 1988 by floods and landslides.

Khao Luang National Park - The park covers an area of 670 sq. km comprising largely of mountainous terrain and lush fruit orchards. The area is noteworthy for several scenic waterfalls, which are ideal for hiking and swimming. Here lies the Krung Ching waterfalls, one of the cascades of this spectacular waterfall is aptly named Nan Fon Saen Ha, which translates as 'Hundred Thousand Drops of Rain'. Other scenic falls include the Karom Falls and Phrom Lok Falls.

Khao Wang Thong Cave located in Khanom district, this is one of the most beautiful caves in Thailand. The cave was nearly destroyed in 1990 because of the possible construction of a mine in the area. However, the people of Khao Wang Thong Village recognized the value of this natural wonder, succeeded in preventing mining works form being carried out in the area.

Shadow Play Puppets: Southern shadow play, known as Nang Thalung, originated in the area, and remains popular until the present day. Performances entail the manipulation of puppets, with at least one moving part, behind illuminated screens. The puppets, essentially, elaborately carved stencils, are fashioned from cow hide and make popular souvenirs. Visits can be made to Suchart House to see how such puppets are laboriously hand-crafted.

Yan Liphao Basketry is an indigenous clinging vine that can be fashioned into thread and hand-woven into a wide range of durable and extremely attractive objects, primarily purses and handbags. A Yan Liphao center is located at Tha Rua Village, some 11km from the provincial capital.
with temporary reference to web: marimari .com

NAKHON SRI THAMMARAT - THE GREATEST HISTORY OF THE SOUTH
http://sunsite.au.ac.th/ThaiInfo/TourismInThailand/south/nakhonsi-thammarat/info.html

The province of Nakhon Sri Thammarat is huge and offers plenty of tourist spots, be it historical, gourmet or just the beautiful nature and northern beaches ...

GREAT PRESENTATION OF THE NAKHON SRI PROVINCE click here for PDF:
http://identity.opm.go.th/Pubs/BookEng/ThaiTraits430_459.pdf
or about Thai Music, a perfect explanation to you:
http://identity.opm.go.th/Pubs/BookEng/ThaiTraits84_87.pdf

Encyclopedia Info on Nakhon Sri Thammarat from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tambralinga
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakhon_Si_Thammarat_kingdom

Tourist Attractions summary in Nakhon Sri Thammarat Province:
http://www.tourismmart.com/storefront/province_desc.asp?pvid=480

KHAO LUANG NATIONAL PARK - UNTOUCHED WILDLIFE & NATUR

Khao Luang mountain (1835 meters) - the highest in southern Thailand (January to June)

1. Kiriwong village
2. Suan Somlom (mixed fruits garden)
3. Wang Ai waterfall
4. Suan Sai Nai (600 m)
5. Dong Tark (leeche area)
6. Lan Sai (850 m)
7. San Mai Daeng
8. Lan Huh (old helicopter pad)
9. Khao Luang peak (1835 m)

Distances from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Nearby Provinces & Towns:

Surat Thani 134 kilometres
Trang 123 kilometres
Phatthalung 112 kilometres
Songkhla 161 kilometres
Krabi 233 kilometres
Phuket 366 kilometres

Pak Phanang 36 kilometres
Cha-uat 71 kilometres
Chian Yai 52 kilometres
Hua Sai 66 kilometres
Chaloem Phra Kiat 22 kilometres
Ron Phibun 32 kilometres
Chulabhorn 50 kilometres
Bang Khan 94 kilometres
Chawang 71 kilometres
Tha Sala 32 kilometres
Sichon 66 kilometres
Khanom 100 kilometres
Phrom Khiri 21 kilometres
Lan Saka 21 kilometres
Phipun 93 kilometres
Thung Song 55 kilometres
Thung Yai 102 kilometres
Tham Phannara 107 kilometres
Chang Klang 50 kilometres
Nopphitam 50 kilometres

THE BUS from Bangkok:

Regular and air-conditioned buses of the Transport Co. and private companies depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal. The trip takes about 12 hours. Air-conditioned buses, varying in 3 types, leave Bangkok at the following times:
VIP Bus: 5.15 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Standard 1 Bus: 9 a.m., 6 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.
Standard 2 Bus: 6.40 a.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
For more information, contact tel. 0 2435 1199-200 (air-conditioned buses).
Nakhon Si Thammarat Bus Staiton tel: 0 7534 1125.
Travel within the province is easy with mini-bus service around the city.
Transport to nearby provinces includes vans, taxis, buses, and trains.

THE TRAIN from Bangkok:

There are rapid and express trains departing from Bangkok Railway Station to Nakhon Si Thammarat at 5.35 p.m. and 7.15 p.m. respectively. For more information, contact tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or call Nakhon Si Thammarat train station at tel. 0 7535 6364, 0 7534 6129.

THE AIRPLANE from Bangkok (Airports: Nakhon Si - NST, Surathani, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket, etc.):

There are currently eight flights a day from and to Bangkok, be it the old real Don Muang Airport (DMK) or the new warehouse airport (BKK).

Thai Airport Authority Info: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
http://www2.airportthai.co.th/airportnew/sun/index.asp?lang=en

Thai Airport Authority Info: Don Muang Airport (DMK)
http://www2.airportthai.co.th/airportnew/bangkok/index.asp?lang=en

www.thaiairways.com

www.nokair.com

www.OneTwoGo.com

www.pbair.com

www.bangkokair.com

Other student infos:

WALAILAK UNIVERSITY, Tha Sala
http://iro.wu.ac.th/Orientation%20Hanbook%20April%202007.pdf