Major city · Thailand
Nakhon Si Thammaratนครศรีธรรมราช
Give it 2 nights for Wat Phra Mahathat and the old town, or skip it if you only want beaches — the coast here is 30+ km east.
Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the oldest cities in southern Thailand and the Buddhist heart of the peninsula: Wat Phra Mahathat, a 78 m chedi wrapped in cloth each festival, anchors a low-rise old town of museums, city-wall remnants and Brahman shrines. It is not a beach town and most travellers pass it on the way to Khanom or Ko Samui. Come for the temple, the Tenth Lunar Month festival and southern food, not for resorts.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Dec–Mar (drier, cooler)
- avoid Oct–Dec (northeast monsoon rain), Apr–May (hottest)
- Airport
- NST
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Nakhon Si Thammarat191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nakhon Si Thammarat, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyLow-crime provincial city; the real risks are monsoon flooding in Oct–Dec, scooter traffic and unlit roads at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance and rescue · 1155 tourist police (english) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNST Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (About 15 km (9.3 mi) north of the centre; Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air fly from Bangkok Don Mueang only.NST Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (About 9.3 mi (15 km) north of the centre; Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air fly from Bangkok Don Mueang only.
- Getting aroundSongthaews run fixed routes for about ฿15 (≈ under US$1) (2024 fare) — blue ones cover Ratchadamnoen Road between Wat Phra Mahathat and the municipality office.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or iced tea฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice dish฿50–120 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerdraught / can at a shop฿70–120 (≈ US$3–4)฿40–60 (≈ US$2)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week฿250–500 (≈ US$8–16)
- Museum or sight ticketTemple and museum entryFree–฿150 (≈ US$5)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person฿300 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per room฿1,200 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per room฿3,000 (≈ US$95)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿900 (≈ US$30) · Mid ฿1,800 (≈ US$60) · High ฿4,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NST Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (About 15 km (9.3 mi) north of the centre; Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air fly from Bangkok Don Mueang only. Check schedules — routes change.)NST Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (About 9.3 mi (15 km) north of the centre; Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air fly from Bangkok Don Mueang only. Check schedules — routes change.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Care
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Jan–Mar. Mixed: Dec. Avoid: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (19 rain days), driest Feb (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nakhon Si Thammarat: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Songthaews run fixed routes for about ฿15 (2024 fare) — blue ones cover Ratchadamnoen Road between Wat Phra Mahathat and the municipality office. Routes are not signed clearly; ask the driver before boarding. Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis fill the gaps; Grab works in the city. Rent a scooter only with an IDP and a helmet.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Khanom
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or minivan east to Khanom, about 1.5 h
Pink dolphins and quiet beaches; better as one night than a return day.
Chaiya
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Train or bus north towards Surat Thani, about 2 h
Srivijaya-era temple ruins; pair with Surat Thani.
Pak Phanang
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Local bus or songthaew east, about 45 min
River town with a boat procession at the October festival.
Khao Luang National Park
cautionDoor to door: 1–2 h
Songthaew or car to the trailheads, then walk
Waterfalls and forest; trails are rough and wet-season access is unreliable — check locally.
Surat Thani
goDoor to door: About 3.5 h
Train or bus north, about 3 h
The transfer hub for Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and the Andaman side.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old town around Wat Phra Mahathat
Ratchadamnoen Road; walk to the temple, museum and night food. Best for a temple-focused stay.
Train station area
West of the centre; hotels, cafés and bus offices, handy for the 12–14 h rail leg from Bangkok.
Pak Phanang Road / Big C side
Modern shops and malls; 10 min walk from the station, less character.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿900–1,500 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,500–3,000 (≈ US$50–95) excl. bed
- High
- ฿3,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, guesthouse or hotel1 × 2 nights × ฿1,200 | ฿2,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ฿1,800 | ฿7,200 |
| Songthaew ride in town2 × ฿15 · 2024 fare | ฿30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿300 | ฿600 |
| Wat Phra Mahathat entry2 × ฿0 · Listed as free; donations expected | ฿0 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿1,023 |
| Trip total≈ ฿2,813 per person per day, bed included | ฿11,253≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights and long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or iced tea | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Noodle soup or rice dish | ฿50–120 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Beer: draught / can at a shop | ฿70–120 (≈ US$3–4) / ฿40–60 (≈ US$2) |
| Songthaew ride | ฿15 (≈ under US$1) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ฿250–500 (≈ US$8–16) |
| Temple and museum entry | Free–฿150 (≈ US$5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Songthaew routes are hard to read: confirm the destination with the driver before you get in.
- The coast is not at the city — Khanom's beaches are roughly 1.5 h away by road.
- October–December brings heavy northeast-monsoon rain and occasional flooding in the province.
- Temple dress rules apply at Wat Phra Mahathat: cover shoulders and knees.
- Some museums and the city museum keep short or irregular hours — check before travelling out.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and rescue
- 1669
- Tourist police (English)
- 1155
Pocket card
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Nakhon Si Thammaratนครศรีธรรมราช
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่ที่อยู่นี้ครับ/ค่ะTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance and rescue1669
- Tourist police (English)1155
Embassy
No embassies in the city; most are in Bangkok, with consulates in Phuket and Chiang Mai. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Songthaew in town: about ฿15 (≈ under US$1) (2024 fare)
- Minivan from Krabi: about ฿200 (≈ US$7), roughly 3 h (2024)
- Train Nakhon Si Thammarat → Bangkok: 12–14 h; departures around 13:00 and 15:0012–14 h; departures around 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawatdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (tao rai)
- วัดพระมหาธาตุอยู่ที่ไหน — Where is Wat Phra Mahathat? (wat phra mahathat yu thi nai)
- จ่ายบัตรได้ไหม — Can I pay by card? (jai bat dai mai)
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yu thi nai)
Songthaew fares and museum hours change; confirm locally.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nakhon Si Thammarat. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar (drier, cooler) · avoid Oct–Dec (northeast monsoon rain), Apr–May (hottest) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NST: last flight arrivals, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters for the old town: Wat Phra Mahathat, the national museum and city wall, Ratchadamnoen food.
- Place pages with verified hours for Wat Phra Mahathat, the National Museum and the city museum.
- Festival fixtures for Hae Pha Khuen That (Feb and May) and the Tenth Lunar Month (September).