Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Most of Nakhon's commercial activity (hotels, banks and restaurants) takes place in the
northern part of the downtown. South of the clock tower, visitors will find the city's his-
toric quarter with the oft-visited Wat Mahatat. Th Ratchadamnoen is the main thorough-
fare and teems with cheap
sŏrng·tăa·ou
heading both north and south.
Wat Phra Mahathat
Woramahawihaan
(Th Si Thamasok; 8.30am-4.30pm)
The most important wát in southern Thailand, stunning
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihaan (simply known as Mahathat) boasts 77
chedi
(stupa) and an imposing 77m
chedi
crowned by a gold spire. According to legend, Queen
Hem Chala and Prince Thanakuman brought relics to Nakhon over 1000 years ago, and
built a small pagoda to house the precious icons.
The temple has since grown into a rambling site, and today crowds gather daily to pur-
chase the popular Jatukham amulets. Don't miss the
museum
inside featuring antique
statues from all eras and corners of Thailand.
TEMPLE
Shadow Puppets
(Th Si Thamasok Soi 3; 8.30am-4pm)
There are two styles of local shadow puppets:
năng
đà·lung
and
năng yài
. At just under 1m tall, the former feature movable appendages and
parts; the latter are nearly life-sized, and lack moving parts. Both are intricately carved
from cow hide. Suchart Subsin's puppet house has a small museum where staff can
demonstrate the cutting process and performances for visitors (50B).
MUSEUM
National Museum
(Th Ratchadamnoen; admission 30B; 9am-4pm Wed-Sun)
When the Tampaling (also known as
Tambralinga) kingdom traded with merchants from Indian, Arabic, Dvaravati and
Champa states, the region around Nakhon became a melting pot of crafts and art. Today,
many of these relics are on display behind the run-down facade of the national museum.
MUSEUM
