Nakhon Pathom is a very old city which has been a centre of the Dvaravati civilisation. Over 2,000 years ago, a Buddhist missionary from India was sent to introduce Buddhism and its philosophy to a land called Suwannaphum, which had Nakhon Pathom as its capital. Phra Pathom Chedi was the important structure of the Kingdom. The prosperous city was abandoned in the 12th century. A new community settled down after the renovation of Phra Pathom Chedi was completed in the reign of King Rama V of Bangkok period. Attractions
Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo – The farm consists of a crocodile nourishing pond in which live thousands of crocodiles, widelife compounds, restaurants and souvenir shops. Crocodile-wrestling show, are performed 2 times daily. Sam Phran River trip – From the pier near the Sam Phran District Office, a long-tail boat takes visitors along the Nakhon Chaisi River, Khlong Bang Chang and Khlong Chinda. Besides the pleasant rural scenery, visitors can enjoy walking around fruit orchards, orchid farms and a house where Thai sweets are daily made. The trip takes 2-3 hours and it should start in the morning.
Don Wai Market – This market is the home of a fascinating old riverside community in Nakhon Chaisi. Its people have hardly changed with time, preferring to maintain many of the old ways of the Thai countryside which cannot be seen anywhere else. Buddhamonthon – This is an important religious
site built by the government the 2,500th year of the existence
of Major Event Nakhon Pathom Agri-Tech Fair – This fair
is an annual event held in the month of December within the precincts
of Phra Pathom Chedi. Major activities include contests and sales
of agricultural produce-pomelos, coconut with fragrant milk, guavas,
bananas and grapes as well as the display and sale of industrial
products of the province. |
Phra
Pathom Chedi – On coming toward the city, the first
glimpse of the towering Phra Pathom Chedi is overpowering. It
is one of the largest pagodas in the world and in Thailand, by
far the most holy of all Buddhist structures. The original pagoda
was constructed more than 2,000 years ago in the stupa design
of an upside down bowl shape. A replica of the original pagoda
stands south of the present one. In the year 1853, King Rama IV
commanded the reconstruction of a new huge pagoda covering the
original one. It has a height of 120.45 metres and a total length
of 234.75 metres around the base. A nearby museum contains a wealth
of priceless relics and many of the stone carvings found in and
around Nakhon Pathom. 
Thai
Human Imagery Museum – The museum houses life-like
sculptures created by a group of Thai artists. These breathtaking
human figures with various characteristics and the replicas of
important people are displayed in many sections such as the Great
Buddhist Monks, Former Kings of Chaki Dynasty, and one side of
Thai life. The museum is open to the public from 9.00 a.m. –
5.30 p.m.
Buddhism. Accessible by Phutta-monthon IV Road, it occupies
a large area with beautiful landscape and contains many interesting
structures. A huge standing Buddha image cast in bronze gold measuring
15.8 metres marks the center of the area. It is surrounded by
four commemorative sites concerning Lord Buddha’s birth,
enlightenment, the first preaching sermon, and Nirvana (death).
Other interesting places include a Buddhist museum, a hall keeping
marble Pali canon and editation halls.