Nakhon Pathom
Nakhon Pathom lies about 56 kilometers west of Bangkok. It sits on the broad flat plain of the Chaophraya Basin. According to legend, the area was once a coastal region when it was first settled around 1,600 years ago, but sedimentation has since moved the coastline almost 50 kilometers away.
The two main sights of interest in the province are the Phra Pathom Chedi and Sanam Chan Palace, both of which are in the provincial capital.
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Nakhon Pathom city is just a little over 50 kilometers from Bangkok, so getting there is relatively easy. Your basic options are bus or train.
Buses leave Bangkok's southern bus terminal every 10 to 15 minutes, and take about one hour depending on traffic. The fare is around 40 Baht. The drawback to taking the bus is that the southern bus is located on the western side of Bangkok, well away from the main tourist areas, as well as the trains.
Nakhon Pathom City Map Click on any of the icons or labels for more information. Nakhon Pathom is a rather small city. You can easily get around to the main sights (both of them) on foot, which is just as well since there's little in the way of public transportation.
The city's main attraction, the Phra Pathom Chedi, is litterally right in front of you as you step off the train.
The large pagoda with the Phra Ruang Rojanarit Buddha image in the north chapel The giant stupa in Nakhon Pathom town, 56 kilometers west of Bangkok, is one of Thailand's oldest and biggest Buddhist monuments. According to some accounts, the temple was one of the thousands thought to have been founded by the ancient Indian emperor Ashoka, who ruled from 269 to 232 BC and sent missionaries throughout Southeast Asia to spread Buddhism after his conversion.
Plan of Sanam Chan Palace Sanam Chan Palace was built by King Rama VI. Construction began around 1907 when he was still Crown Prince. The plan of the complex, drawn up by the Oxford educated Prince, was almost a complete departure from traditional Thai palaces, and strongly resembles a modern suburban development. The Crown Prince, by some accounts, considered himself a true English gentleman and wanted an English style country residence.
