10 THINGS TO DO IN NAKHON PATHOM

1. Wat Phra Pathom Chedi Ratchaworamahawihan (ว ั ด พ ร ะ ป ฐ ม เ จ ด ี ย " ร า ช

วรมหาวิหาร)
The Temple houses the country’s largest pagoda, Phra Pathom Chedi
enshrining the Buddha’s relics, which was built in 1853 in the reign of King
Rama IV. The highlight of the temple includes Phra Ruang Rotchanarit,
a Buddha image in the standing posture of giving a pardon, installed in the
niche of the wihan located to the North in front of Phra Pathom Chedi.
At the base of the pagoda is enshrined the royal relics of King Rama VI.
The Wat Phra Pathom Chedi museum is a collection of artefacts unearthed
in Nakhon Pathom, which date back to the Ban Chiang and Dvaravati periods.
The pagoda majestically stands out under the electric lights at night.
The temple is open between 7.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m. Admission fee: 40 Baht.
The Phra Pathom Chedi Festival is held for 9 days during the 12th day of the
waxing moon to the 5th day of the waning moon of the 12th lunar month
(November).

2. Wat Rai Khing (วัดไรJขิง)

is another prominent and notable temple in Nakhon Pathom Province in
addition to Wat Phra Pathom Chedi, which is the provincial temple. Wat Rai
Khing, a civilian monastery built in 1791, is located in Tambon Rai Khing, only
32 kilometers from Bangkok. It was named after the district by Somdej Phra
Phuttha Chan (Pook). When the construction was completed, the Buddha
image was brought from Wat Sala Poon and enshrined here, later the locals
named the image "Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing". According to legend,
this Buddha image was found floating in the river, so the townspeople took
it up and enshrined the image at Wat Sala Poon. The Buddha image features
Chiang Saen style, assumed to be built by Lanna Thai and Lan Chang
craftsmen. Prince Vachirayan Varoros granted temple the name "Wat
Mongkon Chinda Ram" (with the words "Rai Khing" in parenthesis after the
name) but the locals call the temple "Wat Mongkon Chinda Ram Rai Khing",
later it was shortened to "Wat Rai Khing". The temple is well known among
Thais as devoted Buddhists frequently visit Wat Rai Khing to pay homage to
the sacred Buddha image so every Saturdays and Sundays, food and fruits
are sold in front of the temple. It is also renowned for a natural fish sanctuary,
a habitat of hundreds of thousands of Sawai fish (big catfish-like, freshwater
fishes) where visitors can buy loafs of bread to feed them. For History
enthusiasts, there is a museum collecting and exhibits various kinds of
artefacts including ancient bowls, mural paintings, and old books, all of which
were donated by the townspeople.Opening hours: Daily 9am-5pmContact:
Wat Rai KhingTambon Rai Khing, Amphoe Sam Phran, Nakhon PathomTel. 66
34 311 384, 66 34 323 056

3. Sanam Chan Palace (พระราชวังสนามจันทร")

Was built under the royal command of King Rama VI. The Palace complex
encompasses significant and majestic throne halls; for example, Phra Thinang
Phiman Pathom, Phra Thinang Samakkhi Mukkhamat, Phra Tammak Thap
Kaeo and the Statue of Yale. It is open daily between 9.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m.,
except public holidays.

4. Don Wai Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำดอนหวาย)

Is a Shopping centre for food and souvenirs from many well-known and long
established restaurants behind Wat Don Wai. Located by the Tha Chin
Riverbank and having existed since the reign of King Rama VI, the Market
includes products and food sold by vendors on Boats; such as, Pet Phalo Nai
Nap (pot-stewed duck), sweet and salty carp fish, Thai sweets at the
“Lim Heng Ki” shop, etc. The farming product market fair is also open at Wat
Don Wai between 8.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. on Monday to Friday, and between
7.00 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. on the weekend. Cruising for sightseeing the view along
both sides of the Tha Chin River is available; the route starts from Wat Don
Wai to the Pho Kaeo Bridge
4. Tha Na Old Market (ตลาดเกJาทJานา)
Is an over 100-year-old little market on the Tha Chin Riverside. The Market
highlights plenty of fresh local food of both main dishes and desserts that
are mouthwatering; for example, traditional noodles recipe, noodles and
dumpling, a variety of Thai desserts like Bua Loi, Babin, grilled sticky rice with
several fillings, sweet pomelo, Khun Pom’s bread, Mamon Chang,
Noi’s Bakery, including local fruits and vegetables, especially, the famous
Nakhon Chaisi pomelo of Nakhon Pathom, etc. The area of the market is
lined with wooden row houses with beautiful traditional architecture. Open
daily between 8.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.

5. Lam Phaya Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำลำพญา)

Located at the front of Wat Lam Phaya on the Tha Chin Riverside, is a centre
of fruits and vegetables, agricultural products, wickerwork, woven textiles,
dyed textiles and food sold at reasonable price; such as, Malai Khanom Thai
Bang Len, Chai Kuai, Hoi Thot (fried mussels), and Phat Thai from the first
original food shop of the Market. A variety of fish can be seen at the front of
the Temple. Open on the weekends and public holidays between 8.00 a.m.
– 3.00 p.m.

7. Sookjai Farmer’s Market (ตลาดสุขใจ)

Is a green market for people who have health and environment concerns. It
is a centre of Organic farming products and processed food provided by
organic farmers who will bring their products for sale on the weekends
between 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Since this market offers farming products
with good quality where farmers can sell to consumers directly, the price of
the products is reasonable. The Market has various and seasonal products;
for example, non-chemical vegetables and fruits, eggs, duck eggs, cooked
food, Thai sweets, organic rice, fresh vegetables, fruit juice, etc.
9. All-night market at Phra Pathom Chedi (ตลาดโตgรุJง องค"พระปฐมเจดีย")
Is one of the delicious food centres of Nakhon Pathom. It is well-known for
a wide range of food offered by wheelbarrow vendors including main dishes,
desserts, snacks, ice cream or fruits; such as, Bua Loi Tae Chio, Chim Mu, Cho
Hoi Thot, Denchai Ice Cream or also known as “Flying Ice Cream”.
Furthermore, once visitors are in town, there is plenty of not-to-be missed
local food. The downtown area is lined with various restaurants; for example,
Tang Haseng (original shop), the town’s first food shop selling roasted pork
with rice that has been open for over 70 years with a reputation from the
old generation to the present one, or Mae Lek (original shop), a long well-
known shop among the locals selling sticky rice in bamboo tubes. In addition,
crispy pork with rice and pomelo is a must-eat.