Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
เทศบาลนครนครปฐม
Nakhon Pathom is a regional capital of 117,927 people in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Why visit Nakhon Pathom
Townapedia lists 19 museums and landmarks, 9 parks and trails, 53 places to eat, 13 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Nakhon Pathom Municipality Zoo, Phra Pathom Chedi National Museum, Phra Pathom Chedi and Nakhon Pathom Municipality Sport School Stadium.
Weather in Nakhon Pathom
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Nakhon Pathom
Nakhon Pathom (Thai: นครปฐม, pronounced [náʔkʰɔ̄ːn pā.tʰǒm]) is a city (thesaban nakhon) in central Thailand, the capital of Nakhon Pathom province. One of the most important landmarks is the giant Phra Pathommachedi. The city is also home to Thailand's only Bhikkhuni temple Wat Song Thammakanlayani (วัดทรงธรรมกัลยาณี), which is also open to women from abroad.
From the Wikipedia article Nakhon Pathom (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Travel tips from other travellers: Nakhon Pathom on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Things to do2
Nakhon Pathom Municipality Zoo
Zoo and aquarium · 0.6 km
6 ราชมรรคา, สนามจันทร์
Mo-Su 10:00-18:00
Museums and landmarks19
7 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds9
Nakhon Pathom Municipality Sport School Stadium
Sports field and stadium · 2.6 km
Restaurants and cafes53
ครัวรสแซ็บ (Krua Roszabb)นครปฐม
Restaurant · Thai, Chinese · 0.8 km
134/1 ถนนสวนตะไคร้, นครปฐม
Mo-Su 10:00-21:00
House of Chandra
Cafe · Coffee Shop, Dessert · 0.7 km
ถนนสวนตะไคร้
We-Mo 08:00-18:00
Neramitr Cafe and Friends
Cafe · Coffee Shop, Pastry, Cake · 1.5 km
149 ถนนเทศบาล
Mo-Su 08:00-18:00
Wings Cafe
Cafe · Coffee Shop, Coffee, Croissant, Toast · 2.4 km
3/2 Moo 8 Liab Klong Prapa, Nakhon Pathom
Fri-Wed 07:00-17:00
ครัวปุณยาพร By:Jaan&Meji
Restaurant · อาหารตามสั่ง · 1.9 km
22 เพชรเกษม
Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
41 more on the map.
History
Nakhon Pathom was located in the Gulf of Thailand 2000 years ago, but is steadily receding southward as a result of sedimentation. Nakhon Pathom, along with Ratchaburi and Sing Buri, is considered one of the oldest cities in Thailand, having been founded as far back as 40 BC. It was for a long time one of the important capitals of Dvaravati, a prestigious Mon kingdom from Lop Buri to ex Tun Sun area. The Indian King Ashoka sent monks to Siam at this time to popularize Theravada Buddhism. They arrived in Nakhon Pathom and from there toured the country. Hence the city's self-image of having spread Buddhism throughout Siam.
In April 1842, trouble broke out between three groups of Chinese who had formed secret societies, each with about 1,000 men. The leaders of these groups were named Khim, Ia and Phiao (Piaw). The Siamese government sent soldiers under the command of Phra Sombat Wanit to arrest the leaders. In fact, Khim and Phiao were the first to be thrown into the dungeon, but Ia managed to escape. He then robbed the houses in the Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom area along with his people. They could only be overpowered after a large police operation.
In the 1930s, Nakhon Pathom was a nest of 300 houses and about 12. Buddhist temples. There was also the famous monks' retreat at Bang Thammasala.
From the History section of Nakhon Pathom on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More about Nakhon Pathom
Geography
Nakhon Pathom is located about 50 kilometers west of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, in the middle of a wide plain, crossed by watercourses, such as the Mae Nam Tha Chin (Tha Chin River). Sugar cane has been grown here since the late 18th century. Old travel reports describe that near Nakhon Pathom on the Tha Chin, there were sugar factories every four to five kilometers, surrounded by some ten to fifteen houses and firmly in Chinese hands.
From the Wikipedia article Nakhon Pathom, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable people from Nakhon Pathom
Suchinda KraprayoonThai politician and general (1933–2025)Photo: DarKFuReXZ, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tor GravesThai racing driverPhoto: TorGraves, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kay LertsittichaiThai model and actorPhoto: CLEO Thailand, CC BY 3.0
Passakorn SuwannawatThai snooker playerPhoto: Benutzer:Bill da Flute, CC BY-SA 3.0- Vachirawit Chiva-areeThai actor and singer
- Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrungbeatified Thai Roman Catholic priest (1895-1944)
- Worrawoot SrimakaThai footballer
- Narongchai VachirabanThai footballer
- Prat SamakratThai footballer
- Shinnaphat Lee-Ohassociation football player
- Somharuthai Jaroensiribadminton player
- Chalakorn Sa-nguandeeThai footballer
Born in Nakhon Pathom, according to Wikidata (CC0). Each name links to its Wikipedia article.
Where to stay13
Churches and places of worship20
Wat Phra Pathom Chedi Ratchaworamahawihan
Place of worship · Thai Mahanikaya · 1.7 km
Shopping13
Gas and EV charging13
Schools, colleges and libraries38
Healthcare21
Map of Nakhon Pathom
201 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Kamphaeng Saen Airport (KDT) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 34 km away.
- Ban Pong 18 km west, about 18 min by car
- Ban I Chang 20 km southwest, about 20 min by car
- Nong Khaem 35 km east, about 35 min by car
- Phasi Charoen 44 km east, about 44 min by car
- Taling Chan 45 km east, about 45 min by car
- Thon Buri 49 km east, about 49 min by car
- Bangkok 50 km east, about 50 min by car
- Pak Kret 50 km east, about 50 min by car
- Mueang Nonthaburi 51 km east, about 51 min by car
- Samut Prakan 65 km east, about 1 h by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Towns near Nakhon Pathom
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Local news
Headlines from INDB.
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Page built November 10, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.