Nakhon Si Thammarat Beach and Wat Phra Mahathat temples

Nakhon Si Thammarat is a province in South Thailand while Nakhon Si Thammarat city is the capital of the province. The city is about 610 km (380 miles) south of Bangkok, on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula.

The province sits on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand and is bordered by Surat Thani to the north, Phattalung and Songkhla to the south and Krabi to the west.

Nakhon Si Thammarat is Thailand's fourth largest city, but lack of tourists although the city has a lot of tourist sites.


Nakhon Si Thammarat Tourism

Nakhon Si Thammarat is the land of predominant Buddhism during the Srivijaya Period, so many temples will be found in the city. Wat Phra Mahathat is the most famous temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Wat Phra Mahathat was originally an old monastery which is believed to have been constructed during the Srivijaya Period. The building has a 77-meter pagoda which houses Buddha relics brought from Sri Lanka over 1,700 years ago.

Do not forget to visit the Old City Wall which is 460 meters wide and 2,230 meters long. The wall was constructed during the Phraya Si Thamma Sokarat period and was renovated at least two times during the Ayutthaya Period.

A place that is revered by all Buddhist is located in Nakhon Si Thammarat town near the City Hall. This is the Ho Phra Buddha Sihing. The Buddha image enshrined in this temple is believed to have been constructed during the Sukhothai Period.

Besides, there are a lot of other important archaeological places such as Vihara Luang, Vihara Khien, Vihara Khot, Vihara Pho Lanka, museum, etc.

Predominantly mountainous with substantial forest areas including the outstanding Khao Luang National Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat also has a selection of beaches along its long, largely undeveloped coastline. There are loads of attractive coastal villages great for camping and as already mentioned, downtown Nakhon Si Thammarat is a good, and very local, place to spend a couple of days.

Nakhon Si Thammarat is different with another big cities in Thailand. You will find no sex tourism in the city.




Nakhon Si Thammarat Culture and Show

A distinctive aspect of cultural life in Nakhon Si Thammarat is the shadow puppets shows, called here Nang Thalung. The puppets are prepared with dried hides and shaped as the protagonists of Thai mythological or historical tales. This type of art is very popular in Southeast Asia and can be found in several variations.

A good place for experiencing the art is the Suchat Sapsin House at 10/18 Si Thammasok Road, Soi 3. The house includes a museum and offers performances as well.


Nakhon Si Thammarat Beach

Thailand is very famous for its exotic beach, let's say Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi. Visiti Nakhon Si Thammarat is not complete without visit the beach.

Being in southern Thailand, beaches are a compulsory part of any visit. Nakhon itself doesn’t have beaches (though there are a few nearby); yet it is worth a visit due to its cultural and religious importance. A way to overcome this problem is to make a stop along the way from – or to – Surat Thani at the town of Khanom. In such a way it is possible to enjoy a nearby beach without making lengthy detours to bad connected towns.

Located an hour north of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Khanom is a fishing village with attractive beaches, two caves, a road leading to the Dat Fa Mountain and a few waterfalls. Long-tailed boats allow exploring the Khanom River, where Irrawaddy dolphins can be seen in the early morning, especially during the rainy season. Nai Plao Beach features a few guesthouses and restaurants. The town is connected during the day with frequent minibuses to Nakhon and Surat.

Moreover, it is just twenty kilometers south of Don Sak, the ferry pier to Koh Samui.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Photos and tourist pictures :



Nakhon Si Thammarat downtown



"Nakhon Si Thammarat Street



Nakhon Si Thammarat City



Nakhon Si Thammarat Mosque



Taking a songthaew (10-15B within the downtown district) is the easiest way to travel around Nakhon Si Thammarat. The pickup trucks are scattered throughout town - just wave at one to get them to stop. The sights are very spread out along the main road that runs through the town called Rajdamneon Road, so it's
best to take them in order to visit them.



Wat Mahathat is the most important shrine in Southern Thailand due to the Buddha relics in it. The big complex is impressive and easily recognizable as a big religious center; it includes a museum which displays a rich collection of artifacts and statues.



Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum occupies the area of the old Wat Suan Luang Tawan Ok on Ratchadamnoen Road. Opened in 1974, it displays artifacts found in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, and Chumphon – the last three are provinces adjacent to Nakhon Si Thammarat - as well as local handicrafts


Watch Dolphin at Southern Thailand, Dolphins, in Hat Khanom Mu Koh Talay Tai National Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat video

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It is safe to visit Bangkok again after riots

Bangkok is on the international media highlight recently. Not because for its beautiful city and gorgoeus nightlife, but for a travel warning. Many countries had warned their people not to visit Bangkok. Bangkok is dangerous, a big riots happened after a protest from Red Shirt against the government. About ten thousands of Red Shirt protesters have gathered outside the army barracks in Bangkok where Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is holed up, demanding his resignation.

Fortunately, the riots ended with peace on each other side. Yes, the violent protests in Bangkok ended on 21st May 2010. And now it is the time to build up this beautiful city. While the threat of further protests still remains, it appears that for the time being Bangkok has started to return to normal. It is worth remembering that in Southern Thailand in the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla there is still a threat of insurgency. Luckily this is away from most tourist areas but it is advisable to speak to your travel agent just to be careful.

If you still don't dare going to Bangkok, let's consider another places in Thailand such as Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phuket, and so more. Thailand is not just one Bangkok.


Bangkok Tourism today. To Go Bangkok or not go ?

Many tourist had canceled their flight trip to Bangkok or Thailand cities. Some are reroute to another destination inside South East Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Some are choose to refund their ticket. It is reasonable for tourist to avoid Bangkok, even today Bangkok has began to recover from the bloody riots protest.

The Australian government had issued its highest travel warning, Bangkok had a night-time curfew and thousands of people had cancelled their flights.

Now, actually in Bangkok, he curfew had just lifted and the Red Shirt anti-government protesters gone home. Thailand had begun a new campaign to woo back tourists after losing up to $US2.2 billion in tourism revenue during the crisis, which had begun in March and had left nearly 90 people dead.

Many tourist now had arrived at the tourist centre of Khoa San Road district and noticed the area was moderately busy. Every few minutes you can saw a backpacker walking around. So not everyone had cancelled their flights. But some hostel, which was considered to be popular, was only about 20 per cent occupied.

"It got busy from today," said Rao, one of the hostel workers. "But some hotels have only one guest."

Some of them had postponed their visit to Bangkok and had gone to other parts of the country until the curfew lifted.

"Last time I came here it was 24-hour party, party, party," said a Norwegian girl of the street where bars are open until late and street vendors spruik everything from "ping-pong" shows to pirated DVDs, to fake drivers' licences to women's clothing.

"At least it's not dead like it was last night," said a friendly Israeli backpacker.



Let's Visit Bangkok. It is safe

Many airlines now are tend to give a big discount for a direct flight to Bangkok. Let's say the low fare airlines, Airasia, give a free seat to Bangkok. Many hotels and travel service are doing the same thing. Bangkok is not that bad actually, there are still many things to see. So let's visit Bangkok again.




Bangkok Bus Hijacked


Bangkok Days after riot


Bangkok Red Shirts Protest Riots. 52 killed, over 400 injured in Bangkok riots


Bangkok Red Shirts Protest Riots



Red Shirts march to Lumpini Park & Silom Road, 6 April 2010

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Songkran Water Festival Phuket 2010

Visiting Thailand is a never ending journey. There a lot of attractions to visit, delicious foods to eat, thai girls and massage to enjoy, abundant nightlife show to watch and their unique Thai Festival to attend.

One of most anticipated festival in Thailand is The Songkran Festival. The Songkran festival s celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. Of all the feasts and festivals in Thailand, which are many, the Songkran Festival is the most striking, for it is widely observed not only in this country but also in Burma, Cambodia and the Lao State.

The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. People roam the streets with containers of water or water guns, or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors.

Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran may also go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to pray and give food to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images from household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance (Thai: น้ำอบไทย) over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. In many cities, such as Chiang Mai, the Buddha images from all of the city's important monasteries are paraded through the streets so that people can toss water at them, ritually 'bathing' the images, as they pass by on ornately decorated floats. In northern Thailand, people may carry handfuls of sand to their neighborhood monastery in order to recompense the dirt that they have carried away on their feet during the rest of the year. The sand is then sculpted into stupa-shaped piles and decorated with colorful flags.



Songkran festival Phuket 2010

Famous across Thailand in the hot April weather, this riot of fun is equally enjoyed and avoided by foreigners since it involves a week long soaking. Full scale water fights break out in selected areas of the island and it’s impossible to travel anywhere without roadside kids drenching bikers and cars in buckers of water. It all originated from a gentler tradition of lightly watering neighbours to beckon the rainy season and is a time for Thais to gather with their families. Central Patong and Phuket city are the best places to be, along with the main beach areas, arm yourself with water pistols on sale, a sense of humour and waterproof bags for your valuables. Unique to Phuket is the Turtle Release at selected beaches, a merit making exercise. Phuket Songkran 2010 dates: April 13th to 15th.


Songkran Festival in Bangkok

In Bangkok, the Songkran Grand Celebration will be held between 10 and 15 April around the Rattanakosin Island district, sometimes called “Old Bangkok.”

The main celebrations, in the capital, focus on bathing rites of replicas of revered Buddha images originating from various provinces in the North, South, East and central regions, interspersed with traditional food and dessert-making demonstrations and cultural performances. The opening ceremony will take place, 10 April, at Phra Chetupon Wimol Manklaram or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

Although Tour Travel always focusing Songkran Festival in Phuket, actually another cities in Thailand also celebrating the festival. There are also important celebrations through the country at various tourist destinations:

• Old City Songkran Festival, Ayutthaya
• Songkran Festival, Chon Buri
• Amazing Songkran, Suphan Buri
• Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival, Samut Prakarn
• Songkran Festival, Chiang Mai
• Songkran Festival, Sukhothai
• Fantastic Northeast Songkran, Golden Shower Tree and ‘Kan’ Festival and Sticky Rice Road in Khon Kaen
• Grand Northeast Songkran Festival, Nong Khai
• Songkran Nakhon Phnom and Thai-Lao New Year Celebration
• Hat Yai Midnight Songkran, Songkhla
• Grand Songkran Festival and ‘Nang Dan’ Parade, Nakhon Si Thammarat
• Songkran on the Beach and Phuket Bike Week 2010




Songkran Festival in Chiangmai


Songkran Festival. Even a elephant also throwing the water


Chiang Mai Songkran Festival – Water Fight on Tuk Tuk


Songkran Festival in Wat Kungthapao. Most Thai people go back to their hometowns to meet their elders.


Watch Songkran Festival 2007 @ Phuket Thailand video here

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Nakhon Ratchasima Korat Festival and Nightlife

Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา - usually referred to simply as Korat or Khorat) is the provincial capital of Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Nakhon Ratchasima is a city (thesaban nakhon) in the north-east (Isan) of Thailand and gateway to Isan.

The province is located on the western end of the Khorat Plateau, separated from the Chao Phraya river valley by the Phetchabun and Dong Phaya Yen mountain ranges. Two national parks are in the province - the Khao Yai in the west and the Thab Lan in the south. The area around Korat was an important center already in the times of the Khmer empire in the 11th century, as can be seen by the temple ruins in the Phimai historical park.

Nakhon Ratchasima Named from the city of various Khmer ruins and the famous statue of Khun Ying Mo. The city is situated on a plateau, about 260 kilometres northeast of Bangkok. The city itself serves as the Gateway to the Northeastern Region.


Nakhon Tourism

Some of the main attractions in Khorat are Khmer ruins. Scattered around the province, these products of ancient wisdom shines through time. One of the Thailand’s finest Khmer ruins can be seen here next to Mon and Lao sites. In addition, Khorat has an abundance of natural attractions in its forests, hills, wildlife and waterfalls that are easily accessible in locations such as Khao Yai National Park .

Apart from the famous statue of Khun Ying Mo or Thao Suranari , Khorat is most well known for silk weaving (in Pak Thong Chai) and a variety of top-notch quality handicrafts such as clay pottery products of Dan Kwian .

Some of Tourist attractions in Nakhon Ratchasima are listed here :

1. Wat Phra Narai Maharat image of Narayana made of sand stone

2. Wat Sala Loi Chapel shape of Chinese Junk. Wat Sala Loi is located on the bank of Lam Takhong River, about 400 meters off the Northeast of the town. The main chapel, which received many awards from various architectural associations as a modern leading design of religious monument, is constructed in the shape of a Chinese Junk.

3. Maha Weerwong National Museum. Maha Weerawong National Museum opposite to the City Hall, exhibits various arts objects and artifacts donated to Somdet Maha Weerawong, e.g. sand stone Buddha images of Khmer and Ayutthaya period, Bronze Buddha images, different sizes ceramics and wood carvings from ancient monasteries.

4. Prasat Hin Phanom Wan Stupa built of sandstone. Prasat Hin Phimai is the largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand almost situated in the center of Phimai Ancient city which carries a rectangular shape of 665 meters wide and 1,030 meters long.

5. Khao Yai National Park Thailand first national park. The Park comprises various mountains, two important rivers of Lam Takhong and Nakhon Nayok, with many rare species of fauna and flora and over 20 waterfalls. Camping sites in the park are available.

6. Phimai Historical Park Opens daily from 7:30 and costs 100 baht for foreigners. Parts of the park are older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Includes Khmer buildings, sculptures leading to the shrine, restaurant, and gift shop.

7. Dan Kwain Nakhon Ratchasima's main ceramics centre. Famous for its rough texture and rust-like colour pottery.

8. Lam Takhong Dam surrounded by shady trees. The Dam is located 62 kilometers before reaching the town on Highway No. 2. The construction had started in 1964 and finished 4 years later. The lake - like reservoir can contain up to 300 million cubic meters of water and irrigates 238,000 rais of paddy field.

9. Sai NgamLocated on the bank of the Moon River. Includes some of the largest banyan trees.

10. Prasat Nang Ram originally meant to be a nursing place during the 12th century in Khmer style.

11. Khao Chan Ngam Cave famous for pre-historic color paintings.

12. Archaeological Site At Ban Prasat Ancient bronze age artifacts in burial site that dates back 3000 years.

13. Muang Sema Buddhist Temple

14. Wat Ban Rai famous monastery of a well known monk, Luang Pho Khun Porisutho.


Nakhon Ratchasima Festivals and Events :

1. Thao Suranari Commamoration.
The annual event is held from March 23 to April 2 to commemorate the victory of Thao Suranari, the heroine who saved Nakhon Ratchasima from in evaders in the Reign of King Rama III. Cultural displays, exhibitions and fireworks are the highlight.


2. Phimai Boat Races
These popular races take place on the Moon River near the old Khmer city of Phimai during the second week of November. Besides the regatta there will be competitions of boats decorated to resemble the famous Royal Barges, entertainments, and stalls selling local products.

3. Phimai Festival
This colorful event is held at the same time as the Phimai boat Races in Phimai historical Park. Among the important activities are; the light and sound presentation; Buddhist, historical and cultural exhibitions.


Nakhon Ratchasima Nightlife
Nightlife in Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) may be not as crowded as Bangkok or Pattaya, but still nice and varied. We can see many bars with Thai live bands and discos playing Thai dance chart hits. Other foreigners are not a common sight in those Thai discos, but are normally welcome.

Like another Big Cities in Thailand, Nightlife in Nakhon Ratchasima can not be seperated with Massage Parlors and Thai Girl. For those who want to see a crowded market, try Korat Night Bazar. Korat Night Bazaar, heavily frequented by the Thais in the late evening, is located close to the city center on Manat Road, which is between Chomphon and Mahatthai roads. It is open everyday from 6 to 10 p.m.

For tourist want to try Thai Massage, a lot of Khorat Massage Parlors can fe found. There are no beer gardens as known from Bangkok but Khorat has several fishbowl massage parlors ("Mandarin", "New Palace"), some of them offering "extra services". For example, the "Chaopraya Hotel" on Jomsurung has room service for THB 700.

Khorat freelancers and Thai girls are spreading anywhere in the city. Freelancers hang out in front of the Japanese restaurant around the corner of the "Chaopraya". Their going rate is around THB 700.



Some of Nakhon Ratchasima Pub, Bars, and Nightlife Restaurants here :

Pub & Restaurant

Bule Saloon (บูเล่ ซาลูน) 264 Yommarat Road, Amphoe Maung, Tel: 0 4425 6538, (open: 06.00 p.m. - 01.00 a.m.)
Tawan Dang Sad sang deun (ตะวันแดงสาดแสงเดือน( มหาซน) ณ โคราช 88/9 Suebsiri Road (Tel. 0442611594
Tawan See Thong (ตะวันสีทอง) Chainarong Road five junction Tel. 0 44257257
Korat Ban- eng (โคราชบ้านเอง) 309 Sabpasit Road Tel. 0 44265988
Dok Mai Kafair (ดอกไม้กาแฟ) Mahatthai Road Tel. 0 44241307
Happy Land (แฮปปี้แลนด์) Mahatthai Road
Nam Jun (น้ำจัณฑ์) Suebsiri Road
The Party House (เดอะ ปาร์ตี้ เฮ้าส์) Suranaree Road, (open: 07.00 p.m. - 02.00 a.m.)

Food & Music Entertainment

K.R. (เค.อาร์) Asdang Road, Amphoe Muang, (open: 07.00 p.m. - 03.00 a.m.)
Pailin Square (ไพลิน สแควร์) Suebsiri Road, Amphoe Muang, (10.00 p.m. - 02.00 a.m.)


Photos of Nakhon Ratchasima here :


Lam Takhong Dam. Located on the edge of Friendship Highway (Mittraphap Road), forming a large reservoir with a capacity of 310 cubic meters of water, capable of helping a total of 238,000 rai of agricultural land, surrounded by and atmosphere of shady trees and beautiful views of nature, good to visit for recreation.



Night Bazaar Korat: Night Walking Street. The most popular place at night in Korat downtown, walking around, do some shopping, looking for something delicious for dinner. Good atmosphere there and it is a place you can see life of locals at night.



Phimai Festival. This colorful event is held at the same time as the Phimai boat Races in Phimai historical Park. Among the important activities are; the light and sound presentation; Buddhist, historical and cultural exhibitions.



Wat Sala Loi Is located on the bank of Lam Takhong River about 500 meters off the side-road to Northeast of the town. The main chapel, which received many awards from various architectural associations as a modern leading design of religious monument, is constructed in the shape of Chinese Junk.



Speed Disco and Ginza Plaza: Nightlife in Korat. Used to be called Speed disco, before that Scorpion..guess it have change name again now... Ginza is more of a massage parlour, beside another newly Disco. Both Disco are popular among local (anyway Korat is lack of tourists) where live bands with dancers perform. Pay 100B for a entry.. get into small chats with the local school girls, there may be chance some of the clubbers are also tourists from other province:)



Thao Suranari or Khun Ying Mo. Statue Of Khun Ying Mo. Apart from the famous statue of Khun Ying Mo or Thao Suranari , Khorat is most well known for silk weaving (in Pak Thong Chai) and a variety of top-notch quality handicrafts such as clay pottery products of Dan Kwian .



Dusit Princess Korat Hotel is located on Suranarai Road near Korat city centre. One of the most important cities of north-eastern Thailand, Korat has much to offer the visitor: from the ruins of the Nang Ram Sanctuary and Muang Sema Historical Site to the shopping at the Korat Night Bazaar. The Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course at Khao Yai is also not far from the Dusit Princess Korat is only 45 minutes' flight from Bangkok.



Nakhon Ratchasima, generally known as " Khorat ", is Thailand’s largest province situated on sprawling northeast plateau. Located approximately 260 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, the city itself serves as the gateway to the lower northeastern region.


The Phimai Historical Park Dotted about Thailand’s great northeastern plateau are numerous temples of varying sizes; most of these structures are believed to be about a thousand years old.



Watch Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) in Thailand Video. The night view of Korat in Thailand. Around Statue of Tao Suranaree. Sanook sanook!

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