Muang Nakhon Reception House

Wat Khao Khun Phanom and the Khao Khun Phanom Scientific Study Center
is in Mu 3, Tambon Ban Ko. From the city, use Highway No. 4016 to Km. 21 past Phrom Lok market and take a right-hand road for 2.5 kilometers. Wat Khao Khun Phanom is a temple of historical and archaeological importance. The temple has a cave which houses about 30 bronze Buddha images and a bronze Buddha’s footprint. Several smaller connecting caves branch out from the main cave like an elaborate fortress maze. Many believe this is where King Taksin the Great used to stay. Others say it was the rest stop of Princess Kesini, daughter of Chao Nara Suriyawong, the lord of Nakhon Si Thammarat during 1769-1776. On the way up Khao Khun Phanom is the Khao Khun Phanom Scientific Study Center that provides knowledge on science, technology, the environment, and eco-tourism to the public. The Khao Khun Phanom community is a cultural community. There is a training camp activity and a grouping called the Tourism to Study Fruit Orchards by Bicycle Club. Please call tel. (075) 345154.

Phrom Lok waterfall
is in Tambon Phrom Lok. It can be reached via Highway No. 4016 (Nakhon Si Thammarat-Phrom Khiri) to Km. 20, then turning left onto Highway No. 4132 for 5 kilometers. This is a large waterfall with wide and lovely rock platforms. The source is in Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range and flows down 4 levels. The water flows past many kinds flora before going to Khlong Tha Phae and ending in the Gulf of Thailand in Tambon Pak Phun.

Ai Khiao waterfall
is in Tambon Thon Hong. It is 30 kilometers from the city on Highway No. 4016 on the same route as Phrom Lok waterfall. However, it is at Km. 26 and then going on a left-hand road for 3 kilometers more. This waterfall has 9 levels. The surrounding area is still a dense jungle. Both sides of the falls are covered with betel gardens. The locals call the betel Phlu Pak Sai because of its hot flavor and sweet scent. The view of Khao Luang is best viewed from here.

Ban Plai Uan
in Mu 5, Tambon Phrom Lok is at the foot of Khao Luang near Phrom Lok waterfall. Most residents tend fruit orchards. The Nature Conservation for Jungle Trekking Club is located here. One can trek 5 kilometers from the village to Phiman Mek waterfall which is 1,505 meters above sea level. Along the way there are interesting flora, fauna, caves, streams, and the gigantic red palm of the genus Caryota which is a plant with very unique features. For more information, please contact the Ban Plai Uan Nature Conservation Club, tel. (075) 338633.

Sichon beach
or Hua Hin Sichon as known to locals, is a well-known destination of the district. Rocks line the beach all the way to a curved sandy stretch where people can swim. There is accommodation and restaurants for tourists.

Hin Ngam beach 
has a unique characteristic in that it is littered with round rocks of various striking colors. Hence, its name. There are no services here.

Kho Khao beach (Piti beach)
is a popular beach that connects to Hin Ngam beach. There are accommodation and restaurant facilities for tourists. To get to these beaches, take Highway No. 401 from Amphoe Muang for 70 kilometers to Amphoe Sichon. Turn right to Ban Pak Nam for 3 kilometers to Sichon beach (Hua Hin Sichon) and from there it is 1.5 kilometers to Hin Ngam and Kho Khao (Piti) beaches. Piti beach is 2 kilometers from Hin Ngam beach.

Khao Kha archaeological site 
in Tambon Sao Phao. To get there, take Highway No. 401 from Si Phibun intersection to Km. 99, turn left onto Chinda Pracha Sawan Road for 7 kilometers. Khao Kha is a sacred religious place of the Sawai Nikai sect which worships Shiva as its highest god. Khao Kha is regarded as being like the mythical Khao Phra Sumen, a center of worship, that is surrounded by smaller, secondary historical sites. Many artifacts used in rites have been found here including phallic symbols, holy water pipes, ruins, and an ancient pond. The site dates from the 13th-14th Buddhist century.

Khao Nan National Park
is 30 kilometers from Amphoe Tha Sala. The total area of the park is 436 square kilometers. The main topography is a high mountain range extending from Khao Luang National Park. The park itself is a watershed of many waterways. Travel from the city can be by Highway No. 401 across Khlong Klai past Ban Sa Kaeo in Amphoe Tha Sala. Upon reaching Km. 110, turn left into Ban Pak Chao and drive 15 kilometers to the park office.

The park’s main attraction is Sunantha waterfall which is a small but lovely waterfall. Water drops down a steep cliff to the pool below before flowing into Khlong Klai, the main waterway of Tha Sala. Rafting can be done in the canal when the water level is high.
 

Ban Nai Thung handicrafts
can be found 24 kilometers from the city. Ban Nai Thung is a Muslim Thai village near the sea. Aside from fishing, villagers use their spare time to make colored cloth kites in the shape of birds as well as birdcages for sale on both sides of the road. This village is well worth a visit for some quality products.

Wat Mok Lan archaeological site
is in Tambon Don Kha and is 10 kilometers from the district office. To get there, take Highway No. 401 to Ban Na Thap, turn left onto Highway No. 4022 and drive for 6 kilometers. Originally a religious place for Brahmans of the Sawai Nikai sect, the artifacts found here date from the 12th-14th Buddhist century. Items that can be seen here include traces of stone pillars, carvings around doorways, religious stones, an ancient pond, and statue bases. The Fine Arts Department declared this area an archaeological site in 1975.

Nam Tok Yong National Park

Talot cave
is 500 meters from Thung Song district office. This is a small cave in Chai Chumphon mountain. The cave can be traversed from one exit to the other. Inside is a huge reclining Buddha image stretching the length of the cave. This sacred image is decorated with murals of Lord Buddha’s life drawn by Mr. Naep Thichinnaphong, a famous artist of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The area around the cave has been developed into a park.

Kuan Im goddess image
is a large white plaster image. Its height of 19 meters makes it easily visible from afar. It is in the benevolence gesture, its left hand holding a vase containing magic water while its right holds a Lew branch. The image stands on a large lotus beside a boy and a girl. A big dragon is paying homage to the image. The image is situated in the middle of a large pond surrounded by fountains. You can find this spectacular piece of art at Sam Po Kong foundation (Luang Pho To), Mu Ban Phatthana Road, Tambon Pak Phraek, approximately 1 kilometer from Thung Song market.

Krung Ching waterfall

Rafting on Khlong Klai
can be done on rubber boats provided by Krung Ching Administration Office in Mu 3, Tambon Krung Ching, near Krung Ching waterfall. There are 2 ways of the rafting route, which are Pak Khlong Phitam-Lan Hin Dan which is 2.5 kilometers and takes 1 hour and Pak Khlong Phitam-Ban Thung Nai which is 6 kilometers and takes 3 hours.
The fee is 250-350 Baht/person. Please contact tel. (075) 309004 and 01-6773112.

Hong cave
is a medium-sized cave with a stream running through its center before going subterranean to another stream outside. Stalactites and stalagmites of strange shapes abound in the cave. The most distinctive characteristic of the cave is a waterfall that drops down 3 levels. Visitors in the cave must wade through water before emerging from the exit 300 meters away. The cave is under the responsibility of the Khao Nanthi National Park Protection Unit (Khlong Lamphaen). The cave is situated just before Krung Ching waterfall.

Yot Luang waterfall
or Muang Mai waterfall is to the south of Krung Ching waterfall in Mu 6, Tambon Na Reng. Swimming can be enjoyed here at this medium-sized waterfall amidst the coolness of the jungle. To get to the waterfall, take the Nakhon Si Thammarat-Phrom Khiri route (4016) for 40 kilometers.

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Nakhon Si Thammarat