About Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of southern Thailand's oldest and most historically significant cities, home to Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan — a revered temple with a 77-metre chedi said to enshrine a relic of the Buddha brought from Sri Lanka over a thousand years ago. The province sits on the Gulf coast, protected from the Andaman monsoon, meaning it can be visited when the western coast is wet. It is a centre of traditional Thai crafts including nielloware silver work and shadow puppet theatre (Nang Talung), and the local cuisine — including Khao Yam and Khanom Jin with curry — is considered among the finest in the south.
Key facts
- Population
- 1,550,721 (2020)
- Area
- 9,943 km²
- Density
- 156 / km²
- Districts
- 23
- Capital
- Nakhon Si Thammarat
- ISO code
- TH-80
- Airport
- Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST)
UNESCO World Heritage
- Wat Phra Mahathat — inscribed 2026
National parks (3)
Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park, Khao Luang National Park, Nam Tok Si Khit National Park
All 23 districts
Bang Khan · Cha-uat · Chaloem Phra Kiat · Chang Klang · Chawang · Chian Yai · Chulabhorn · Hua Sai · Khanom · Lan Saka · Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat · Na Bon · Nopphitam · Pak Phanang · Phipun · Phra Phrom · Phrom Khiri · Ron Phibun · Sichon · Tha Sala · Tham Phannara · Thung Song · Thung Yai
Top Highlights
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan
one of Thailand's most sacred Buddhist sites, over 1,000 years old
Nang Talung shadow puppet workshops
the traditional craft is centred in this province
Khao Luang National Park
granite peaks, waterfalls, and orchid-rich montane forest
Nielloware silver craft workshops
the finest traditional metalwork in southern Thailand
Getting There
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) has daily flights from Bangkok with Nok Air and Bangkok Airways. Train from Bangkok takes 13–16 hours on the southern mainline. Buses from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal take approximately 11–12 hours. The city is about 1.5 hours by road from Surat Thani.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore more Thai provinces
Browse all 76 province guides
Sources
Facts on this page last checked 1 August 2026.
- 1.Q244691 — population, area, districts, coordinates — Wikidata (Wikidata), retrieved 1 August 2026
- 2.Background reading — Wikipedia (Wikipedia), retrieved 1 August 2026Linked for context; no text is reproduced from it.
- 3.Official provincial website — Provincial administration (Official source), retrieved 1 August 2026
Was this page helpful?
ThailandKnowledge Editorial Team
Factual claims on this page are sourced and dated. Where something could not be verified, we say so rather than guessing.
Our editorial standards