Hotels in Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nakhon Si Thammarat is a historic provincial capital on Thailand's Gulf coast, built around the revered Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan and a walkable old town along Ratchadamnoen Road. It works as a base for temple visits, the Ratchadamnoen night market and day trips to the beaches of Khanom and Sichon or the trails of Khao Luang National Park.
Hotels in Nakhon Si Thammarat cluster around two different centres of gravity: the old town near Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, where guests can walk to the temple and the Ratchadamnoen night market, and the newer commercial strip further out, closer to the train station and the road to the airport. Families use the city as a quieter alternative to the southern islands, staging trips to Khao Luang National Park and the coastal towns of Sichon and Khanom, both under an hour away by car. Rates stay reasonable outside a handful of business-oriented properties, and the compact old town keeps the main sights within walking distance once a room is booked.
Where to stay
What to expect
- Old town rooms put Wat Phra Mahathat and the night market within walking distance
- Newer hotels cluster near the train station and the road out to the airport
- Khao Luang National Park and the Khanom-Sichon coast are both under an hour by car
- Shoulder months (January to April) bring the driest, most comfortable weather
- Amulet and handicraft shops line Tha Chang and Sai Luang roads near the temple
Local tips
- Book an old town hotel if you want to walk to Wat Phra Mahathat rather than taxi in each morning.
- Rent a car or arrange a driver for day trips to Khanom or Khao Luang, since public transport there is thin.
- Visit the Ratchadamnoen night market on foot from an old town hotel and skip the tourist-priced options near it.
- Pack for heat and humidity year-round, and keep a light rain layer handy from October to December.
- Ask your hotel about shadow puppet (Nang Talung) shows, a local craft that is easy to miss without a local tip.
FAQ
The old town around Wat Phra Mahathat and Ratchadamnoen Road suits travellers who want to walk to the temple and the night market, while the area near the train station suits those prioritising transport links or day trips out of the city.