Nakhon Pathom province

Nakhon Pathom (Thai: นครปฐม) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. The province is known for its many fruit orchards.

Nakhon Pathom นครปฐม
Province
Seal
Map of Thailand highlighting Nakhon Pathom Province
Coordinates: 13°55′N 100°7′E
Country	Thailand
Capital	Thanon Khat
Government
• Governor	Chatchai Uthaiphan (since 2014)
Area
• Total	2,168.3 km2 (837.2 sq mi)
• Rank	Ranked 65th
Population  (2014)
• Total	891,071
• Rank	Ranked 26th
• Density	410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
• Rank	Ranked 8th
Time zone	UTC+7 (ICT)
ISO 3166 code	TH-73

Nakhon Pathom is a small province. It is 56 kilometres (35 miles) from Bangkok.

History

The name comes from the Pali words "Nagara Pathama", meaning "first city". Nakhon Pathom is often referred to as Thailand's oldest city.

Due to sedimentation from the Chao Phraya River, the coast line moved much farther to sea.

Major settlement of the province included emigration beginning in the reign of King Rama II, The province includes industrial zones, major university towns, government offices relocated from Bangkok and agricultural and transport hubs.

Tourism

Interesting Places

Phra Pathom Chedi

Wat Phra Pathom Chedi Ratchaworamahaviharn is one of the main royal temples. Belonging to this temple is the Phra Pathom Chedi, one of the tallest pagodas in the world.

Suan Sam Pran is a big garden. Nearby is the Sam Pran Crocodile farm, which includes a zoo and has elephant and crocodile shows.

The Jesada Technik Museum is on the eastern edge of Nakhon Chai Si and has a large collection of old cars, trucks, and planes.

Wat Phra Pathom Chedi Ratchavoramahaviharn (Thai: วัดพระปฐมเจดย์ราชวรมหาวิหาร) is a first class royal monastery.

Nakhon Pathom Palace (Thai: พระราชวังนครปฐม) Royal palace

Phrabat Somdej Phra Monkut Klao Chaoyuhua Museum (Sanam Chan Palace) (Thai: พิพิธภัณฑ์พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฏเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) The palace was constructed by command of King Rama VI in the year 1907.

Phra Tamnak Chali Monkol-asna (Thai: พระตำหนักชาลีมงคลอาสน์) This 2-storey building is of European architecture

Ya-Lei Monument (Thai: อนุเสาวรีย์ย่าเหล) The dog, Ya-Lei, was very close to the heart of King Rama VI. The king was very fond of Ya-Lei, so much so that Ya-Lei was envied, and was later shot by an envious person. King Rama VI was much saddened when Ya-Le died and commanded that a copper statue of Ya-Lei be cast and placed on a pedestal in front of Phra Tamnak Chali Monkol-asna.

Neun Dhamma Sala (Thai: เนินธรรมศาลา) The physical appearance is that of a hill with a tunnel opening that is believed to connect Wat Phra Mayn to Wat Dhamma Sala. From hearsay, there are various valuable treasures like ancient pottery but which may not be taken out because there is a treasure guardian spirit watching.

Wat Phra Mayn (Thai: วัดพระเมรุ) It is an abandoned temple that nowadays resembles a large hill. Also discovered here are other artefacts which include bronze Buddha images as well as arms, thighs, and hands from a laterite Buddha image, Yaksa Deva (Thai mythical giant gods), Lotus Lion Deva, and stucco relief from the stupa ruins.

Phra Padhone Chedi (Thai: วัดพระประโทณเจดีย์) As Wat Phra Padhone Chedi is in the middle of the ancient city of Nakhon Chai Si thus several artefacts were discovered during excavations. Some of the discovered items include Buddha images, heads of Buddha images and Buddha images in terra cotta, as well as a bronze figure of a garuda gripping naga under its claws, which is the official symbol of King Rama VI.

Neun Phra or Neun Yai Hom (Thai: เนินพระหรือเนินยายหอม) This area was once an ancient temple and that the hill must have been a large chedi that was in the temple compound dating back to the Dvaravati period, or earlier, roughly about 1,000 years ago.

Buddhamonthon (Thai: พุทธมณฑล) A huge upright Buddha image

Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo (Thai: ลานแสดงช้างและฟาร์มจระเข้สามพราน) There are daily elephant shows, elephant rides around the compound, elephant musical shows, crocodile-wrestling shows, and magic shows.

Rose Garden (Thai: สวนสามพราน) There are a multitude of beautiful floral displays of great variety.

Thai Human Imagery Museum (Thai: พิพิธภัณฑ์หุ่นขี้ผึ้ง) The museum displays lifelike wax/fibreglass sculptures of vivid detail.

Wat Klang Bang Kaew (Thai: วัดกลางบางแก้ว) The temple houses a chapel, a vihara, and a principal Buddha image, all of which are very old and assumed, archaeologically, to have been built in the Ayutthaya period. There is a Phra Phuttha Vithinayok museum, exhibiting historical remains, artefacts, as well as utensils of the late monks: Luang Poo Boon (Phra Phuttha Vithinayok Boon Kanthachoti) and Luang Poo Perm (Phra Phuttha Vithinayok Perm Punyavasano).

Fish Sanctuary (Thai: อุทยานปลา) The place is a natural fish sanctuary, which is the habitat of various species of fish typical to the Tha Cheen River.

Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus (Botanical Garden) In the university compound, there are number of projects to educate farmers and the general public that include scaled-down projects such as an agricultural technology project, an irrigation system initiated along with the Royal project, an Entomological Park where various species of butterflies are housed, a pilot vegetable plantation plot, and Suan Saen Palm (garden of a hundred thousand palms), which collects various kinds of ornamental palms.

Ancient City of Kamphaeng Saen (Thai: เมืองเก่ากำแพงแสน) this is an ancient town that is worth visiting. It is used as a Boy Scout camp. The interesting attractions of Ancient City of Kamphaeng Saen include unchanged ditches and earth dikes surrounding the ditches.

Activities

Sight-seeing by boats there are tours of canals, visiting fruit orchards and orchid farmt Office (terminal of Bangkok-Samphran line bus), via Chinda canal and Bangchang canal, passing rose apple orchards, coconut orchards, and orchid farms.

Pomelo orchards in Nakhon Chai Si (Thai: ชมสวนส้มโอนครชัยศรี)

Suan Thai Tawee pomelo orchard (Thai: ชมสวนส้มโอสวนไทยทวี) This orchard

Banchong Orchid Farm (Thai: ชมสวนกล้วยไม้ บรรจง ออร์คิดฟาร์ม) The orchid farm

Local products

Sweet pomelo (Thai: ส้มโอหวาน)

Fragrant coconut juice (Thai: มะพร้าวน้ำหอม)

Khao lam (Thai: ข้าวหลาม) is sticky rice mixed with coconut milk and grilled in a bamboo stalk.

Culture

Festivals

Nakhon Pathom Food and Fruits Fair (Thai: งานเทศกาลอาหาร และผลไม้นครปฐม) is annually held during the Chinese New Year, around January–February, on the grounds of Phra Pathom Chedi to promote the agricultural and industrial products of the province. It aims to promote the fruits that are grown in Nakhon Pathom such as pomelo, sweet coconuts, guavas, and bananas. It also features Chinese buffet arrangement contests and fruit contests.

Songkran Festival Thai: (ประเพณีสงกรานต์) is annually held from 13 to 17 April around Phra Pathom Chedi. During the festival, there are many activities such as the Songkran procession floats, Chinese Dragon and Lion Dances, bathing of the revered Phra Ruang Rodjanarit, sand chedi building, Thai opera, and local entertainments.

Buffet for Elephant and Elephant Queen Pageant (Thai: งานเลี้ยงบุฟเฟ่ต์ช้าง และประกวดราชินีช้าง) is annually held on Labour Day (1 May) at the Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo to show gratitude to elephants living in the grounds. The Elephant Queen Pageant is held to find a rather plump lady who could interpret and display the elephant's gentle character.

Wat Rai Khing Festival (Thai: งานนมัสการปิดทองหลวงพ่อวัดไร่ขิง) is annually held from the 13th day of the waxing moon to the 4th day of the waning moon in the fifth month of the lunar calendar. There are many goods sold, from various government units and also from farmers. The fair also features fruit contests and there are many kinds of entertainment at night.

Phra Pathom Chedi Festival (Thai: ประเพณีนมัสการองค์พระปฐมเจดีย์) The fair takes place annually from the 12th day of the waxing moon to the 4th day of the waning moon in the 12th month of the lunar calendar. It is held on the grounds of Phra Pathom Chedi. At night, various entertainments are provided.

Loy Krathong Festival (Thai: งานประเพณีลอยกระทง) is held annually on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 12th month of the lunar calendar (November). The festival is held at Sanam Chan Palace, and features beauty pageants, krathong contests, hanging lantern contests, and local entertainment, among others.

Other websites

• Provincial website Archived 2006-01-11 at the Wayback Machine (Thai)