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Limestone
formations still predominate near Khanom, a seaport founded
more than 800 years ago. South of Sichon, H401 passes through
the rural scenery of the plain east of the Khao Luang (1835
m.) mountain range.
To
reach Nai Phlao Beach follow H4014 to Khanom, and then take
a right (south) turn on H4232. For Hin Ngam Beach turn left
off H401 and go through Sichon (turn right at the end of the
high street and continue straight.
Nakhon
Sri Thammarat
Nakhon Sri Thammarat was once the capital of the Kingdom
of Tambralinga until it came under Siamese influence in the
mid-13th century. Known as Ligor, the city gained its present
name with the establishment of Sri Lankan Buddhism under the
Siamese. The cultural heritage includes includes the manora
dance drama and the nang thalung shadow theatre (best seen at
Ban Nang Thalung Suchart Subsin) as well as Muslim, Hindu and
Christian places of worship.
The main festivals are the Phrapheni Duan Sip (tenth
lunar month festival, Sept-Oct), and the Hae Pha Khun (third
lunar month, Feb-Mar), both feature a procession to the Phra
Mahathat Pagoda.
The city is built along Ratchadamnoen Road. The old city
lies south of remains of the city walls just by the Provincial
Hall; the commercial heart lies around the railway station to
the north. Modern developments lie to the east along Pattanakan
Rd.
The most famous sight in the city is Wat Phra Mahathat,
where the great pagoda houses a tooth relic. The inner sanctum
(08:00-16:30) contains a museum with a wealth of religious artefacts
and images. The national museum (Wednesday-Sunday, 09:00-16:00)
preserves relics from prehistoric sites as well as good examples
of the local Niello ware.
Boworn Bazaar the (Ratchadamnoen Rd.) has some of the
best places to eat breakfast(Hao Coffee), for lunch (Khrua Nakhon
06:00-15:00) and dinner (Ban Lakhon 12:00-22:00). Walk around
the commercial heart of the old town near the station for shops,
inexpensive restaurants and street food vendors. Visit the TAT
office for good local information that includes a nature guidebook
to Khao Luang National Park for Day 4.
Overview
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