Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihaan

Top choice in Nakhon Si Thammarat

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The most important wát in southern Thailand, stunning Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihaan (simply known as Mahathat) boasts an imposing 77m white chedi (stupa) crowned by a gold spire piercing the sky. According to legend, Queen Hem Chala and Prince Thanakuman brought relics to Nakhon more than 1000 years ago, and built a small pagoda to house the precious icons. The temple has since grown into a huge site, and today crowds gather daily to purchase the popular Jatukham amulets.

Within the courtyard beneath the towering chedi rise up scores of further grey chedi. Don’t miss the hall enclosing a splendid stairway – all red, green and gold – and the museums featuring antique statues from all eras and corners of Thailand including an 18th-century reclining Buddha. Frequently filled with visiting school kids who apply gold leaf to the temple statuary, the wát is a 10B sŏrng·tăa·ou (pickup minibus) ride from the town centre.

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Nearby Nakhon Si Thammarat attractions

1. Shadow Puppet Museum

0.29 MILES

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…

2. National Museum

0.78 MILES

If you want to really understand Nakhon, this is the place. A series of interconnected rooms housing stunning artefacts with detailed displays in Thai and…

3. Old City Walls

1.17 MILES

The intriguing and well-kept remains of the historic red-brick city walls can be seen in several sections close to one another along Khlong Na Meuang…

4. Sanam Na Meuang

1.28 MILES

Off the long, main thoroughfare of Th Ratchadamnoen, Sanam Na Meuang with the canal and ancient city wall ruins situated close by, is a delightful place…

5. City Pillar Shrine

1.37 MILES

Completed in 1999, this stunning white monument has four small buildings centred around a beautiful, three-tiered central shrine in the Sriwichai style…

6. Masjid Salah Ud Din

1.52 MILES

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7. Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Mosque

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8. Khao Luang National Park

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